Yanga SC have advanced to the next stage of the CAF Champions League after defeating Botswana side Gaborone United 2-1 in the second leg played at Azam Complex, Chamazi.
The victory saw Yanga qualify with a 3-2 aggregate score after the first-leg encounter in Botswana ended in a 1-1 draw.
Yanga entered the second leg knowing that they needed a positive result to keep their campaign alive in Africa’s premier club competition. Following the 1-1 draw in the first leg, the pressure was firmly on Yanga, particularly because Gaborone United still had a realistic chance of causing an upset and securing qualification to the next stage.
However, the Wananchi made good use of home advantage and eventually secured a 2-1 victory, booking their place in the next stage of the competition.
Across the two legs, Yanga scored three goals compared to Gaborone United’s two, enough to send the Tanzanian giants through with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
The achievement further underlines Yanga’s growing presence in CAF competitions in recent years, with the club now turning its attention to making an even deeper run in the stages ahead.
Selemani Mwalimu adds his name to history
The tie was also significant in terms of the history of Yanga’s Tanzanian players in CAF competitions.
In recent seasons, Yanga have relied on several players to score important goals in the opening matches of their CAF campaigns.
In the 2022/23 season, Fiston Mayele scored against Zalan, while in 2023/24, Aziz Ki joined the list after finding the net against ASAS of Djibouti.
In 2024/25, Prince Dube scored against Vital’O, before Andabwile A did the same in the 2025/26 season against Wiliete Benguela.
In the 2026/27 season, Sele Mwalimu joined that list after scoring against Gaborone United in the first leg.
More significantly, Selemani Mwalimu has become the second Tanzanian-born Yanga player to score in the opening match of the competition during that sequence, following Andabwile.
the job is done, the journey continues The 2-1 victory over Gaborone United was more than just the result of a single match.
It was the completion of a difficult tie after Yanga secured a 1-1 draw away from home in the first leg.
With the tie now settled, the Wananchi can close the chapter on Gaborone United and turn their attention to the next stage of the CAF Champions League.
