Defending NBC Premier League champions Yanga have made a fast start to the 2026/27 season, collecting all 18 points from their opening six matches under head coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
Mngqithi, the South African who joined Yanga at the beginning of the season, has already begun to make an impact, with the team winning all six matches while scoring 16 goals and conceding just two.
That start has put Yanga in a strong position in their title defence, although the season is still long and tougher challenges are expected as the schedule progresses.
The league is currently on hold due to the FIFA calendar, providing teams with an opportunity to assess their performances during the opening stages of the season.
The Defence Remains Solid
One of the standout features of Yanga’s start to the season has been the strength of their defence.
Across six matches, the champions have conceded just two goals while keeping four clean sheets in league action.
Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra and the defensive unit have been central to that solidity, keeping clean sheets against JKT Tanzania, Pamba Jiji, Fountain Gate and Geita Gold, while conceding only against Namungo FC and Coastal Union.
For a team aiming to defend its title, the ability to limit the number of goals conceded is an important foundation for achieving consistent results over the long term.
The Attack Has Provided Plenty of Positives
Yanga have also shown considerable attacking strength, scoring 16 goals in their six matches.
The 4-1 victory over Coastal Union and the 4-0 win against JKT Tanzania were among the results that highlighted the team’s ability to produce goals in abundance.
However, the 1-0 victory over Geita Gold in their final match before the break showed that not every game will be straightforward for the champions.
Geita Gold adopted a defensive approach with a large number of players behind the ball, while Yanga suffered a setback when attacking midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki was sent off early in the first half.
The match clearly provided Mngqithi with a tactical test, particularly when facing teams that sit deep for long periods, as was also the case in the CAF Champions League match against Gaborone United.
Beyond the team’s overall strength, Mngqithi has also demonstrated that his squad can win even when some key players are unavailable.
Stephane Aziz Ki’s red card in the previous match forced Wananchi to play with 10 men for more than 75 minutes, yet they still managed to score and protect their lead for the full 90 minutes.
It is also worth noting that Manqoba made significant changes to the lineup in that match, leaving out several players such as Peter Shalulile, Yao Kouassi, Chadrack Boka, Albert Kangwanda and captain Bakari Mwamnyeto, all of whom have featured regularly this season.
Despite this impressive start, Yanga still have a long road ahead in their title defence. Mngqithi has enjoyed a positive opening spell, but the upcoming matches will provide an important test of the team’s ability to maintain that level against opponents with different tactical approaches.
For now, the champions have set an early benchmark by winning all six of their matches and sitting at the top of the table.
The Yanga squad are expected to return to training on September 28 to continue preparations for their upcoming matches, with Wananchi set to face traditional rivals Simba on October 10 in the seventh round of the NBC Premier League.
