Congratulations Young Africans SC. 

When the referee blew the final whistle at Bingu National Stadium in Malawi, the scoreboard read 1-0 in favor of Silver Strikers- the champions of Malawi. It was the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round, and for many of our fans, it was hard to believe. We hadn’t lost a game since 2024, so naturally, the loss came as a shock. Rivals were throwing banter, fans were worried  but deep down, I knew this story wasn’t over yet.

In football, setbacks are part of the journey. What matters most is how you respond. Right after the game, I spoke to our players  reminding them that we had a responsibility to our fans and to ourselves. I told them we still had another 90 minutes to put things right, and that everything we’ve built as Young Africans SC has been based on resilience, belief, and unity.

Fast forward to the return leg last Saturday at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium  the atmosphere was electric. Over 60,000 Wananchi filled the stands, singing their hearts out for their beloved team. I visited the squad during their final training session at Avic Town to remind them once again: this was more than just a football match, it was about pride, history, and the people we represent.

And what a night it turned out to be. In the opening minutes, our captain Dickson Job put us ahead, and before halftime, our Ivorian star Pacome Zouzoua doubled the lead. From there, it was all about control, determination, and heart. The final whistle came Yanga 2, Silver Strikers 0 and history was made once again.

 

For the first time ever, a Tanzanian club has qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage three times in a row. Before our administration, it had been 25 years  since 1998  since Yanga last reached that stage. That’s how far we’ve come.

I want to sincerely thank our players and technical team for their hard work, the management for their tireless effort, and our loyal members and fans for their unwavering support. You are the true backbone of this club.

A special appreciation goes to Her Excellency, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan  whose motivational initiative “Goli La Mama” continues to inspire our players to deliver results. And to our main sponsor, Mr. Ghalib Said Mohamed, your unwavering commitment and support remain the driving force behind everything we do.

This victory is about showing what belief, unity, and determination can achieve. Yanga is not just a club; it’s a movement.