Yanga Vs Azam Community Shield Cup; Third Against First

 

 Having twice emerged first runner up to both Simba and Yanga in the past two seasons, Azam have nowhere to run but going for the league title this season. The only way up is the title, nothing less, anything less than that would be a disappointment to the ambitious Chamazi outfit. This is their sixth season since they got promoted and seventh year anniversary; they have a chance to make their title ambition clear as they face Young Africans in the community shield cup. Last season they came within a whisker of winning their first shield cup only to be cruelly denied by a late 30-metre bullet winning goal from Kazimoto. Goals from the lethal duo of Bocco and Ivorian hitman, Tchetche had given them a 2-0 lead only to blow it away in the second half. Simba Ghanaian import, Daniel Akuffo converted from the spot kick after Said Morad handled the ball, to reduce their lead to 2-1. Then Emmanuel Okwi leveled the score before Kazimoto scored the winning goal for Simba.

They are facing Young Africans, a side which has handed them three consecutive defeats. In three past matches against them, Azam have not scored a goal conceding five in the process. Yanga did not only win the league ahead of Azam, they did a double, winning 2-0 and 1-0 in the first and second rounds respectively. To further compound misery, Yanga stopped them from being crowned Cecafa regional champions by beating them 2-0 in the final. 

They have stuck with virtually the same side, only promoting three junior players from their academy. Nevertheless they still possess enough power within their ranks to win their first community shield cup. Stewart Hall has been around long enough to realize going into the match, Yanga have the momentum and there is something profound the Dutch tactician, Ernie Brandts has injected in the Jangwani side. While Azam are fresh from a South Africa pre-season tour where they trained with the more tactical astute PSL clubs, Yanga have had a relative low pre-season preparation in Tanzania.

Yanga will not only be seeking to continue their recent dominance over Azam but also winning a record third community shield cup. They won the inaugural edition in 2001 and repeated the feat a decade later, 2011. Azam know a loss will be a psychological blow to their title ambitious. Given Yanga massive fan base, a victory will propel large attendance turn outs in league matches that will give Yanga a big advantage over other contenders, Azam included. Will the community shield cup virgins, Azam do it?