CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza turned into a scene of disappointment for Young Africans (Yanga) on the night of June 21, 2026, after the team was knocked out of the CRDB Bank Federation Cup at the semifinal stage following a 3-2 defeat to Azam FC. The highly competitive encounter provided thrilling entertainment for fans, with the lead changing hands several times before a winner emerged in extra time.
Azam FC opened the scoring in the 27th minute through midfielder Himid Mao, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime. Yanga responded strongly in the second half and equalized in the 66th minute through striker Prince Dube. As the match approached its conclusion, Lameck Lawi restored Azam's lead in the 85th minute, only for Yanga captain Bakari Mwamnyeto to level the score with a header in the 88th minute and keep his side's hopes alive.
However, Yanga's hopes of progressing were crushed in the 113th minute of extra time when striker Japhet Kitambala scored the winning goal that secured Azam FC a place in the final. The result brought Yanga's Federation Cup campaign to an end and increased pressure on the team heading into the remainder of the season.
Following their elimination from the Federation Cup, Yanga have now shifted their focus to the NBC Premier League. On June 24, 2026, the Jangwani-based side will host Azam FC at New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar in what is being described as a crucial match in the 2025/26 league title race. The fixture comes at a stage of the season when every point is vital for teams competing for top positions in the standings.
This season's statistics show that Yanga had enjoyed a strong record against Azam FC before the Kirumba encounter. They defeated Azam 5-4 on penalties in the Mapinduzi Cup final and later secured a 2-1 victory in the semifinal of the Muungano Cup. However, Azam's victory in Mwanza has boosted morale and strengthened confidence within the squad ahead of the upcoming league match.
For the Azam FC technical bench, the Kirumba triumph has increased hopes of extending their positive run against their rivals. Meanwhile, Yanga head into the next encounter fully aware of the importance of securing a positive result to remain firmly in contention for the league title, especially after missing out on the opportunity to win two other trophies this season.
Captain Bakari Mwamnyeto has stated that the team has put the Kirumba result behind them and is now fully focused on preparing for upcoming matches. As supporters of both teams eagerly await the showdown at New Amaan Complex, many eyes will be on Zanzibar to see whether Yanga can return to winning ways or whether Azam FC can maintain the momentum gained from their semifinal success. The match is expected to be one of the most significant fixtures in the closing stages of this NBC Premier League season.
