Mrisho Ngasa`s hat-trick against off form Manyema Rangers took holders Young Africans to 27 points after a 3-1 goals win in their 13th Mainland premiership match played at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Ngasa opened his hat-trick scoring campaign as early as the fourth minute when he was put through by Abdi Kassim who previously had synchronized well with midfielder Athumani Idd upfront.
Defensive laxity on the part of Manyema Rangers after twenty minutes would have earned Yanga the second goal of the day only for Ngasa to misfire.
However, Yanga eventually scored their second goal through a spot kick awarded by referee Alinus Lwena when Manyema Rangers defender Buji Ali brought down striker Kigi Makasi inside the area after 25 minutes.
Ngasa scored the much disputed penalty with rasping shot past custodian Oddo Nombo on his way to hit his first hat-trick of the season.
Adam Matunga of Manyema Rangers was finally warned by the referee after persistent argument over the penalty decision.
Yanga took to the dressing rooms with a great composure having attained a two-goal cushion.
Manyema Rangers surprisingly scored their consolation goal through a rebound by striker Ali Mohamed’s back heel when goalkeeper Yaw Berko failed to hold firmly an earlier goal-bound shot, five minutes into the second half.
Manyema’s celebrations were short-lived when Ngasa underlined his hat-trick bid just a minute later to restore his team’s two-goal cushion lead.
Ngasa had his fourth goal disallowed by referee midway into the second half for an offside offence. Manyema played below par with evergreen defender Buji Ali being overworked to thwart Yanga’s persistent raids.
The win has consolidated Yanga to their second spot behind leaders Simba with 27 points but have massive 12 point gap to cover should they need to win hat-trick title bid.
Line-ups:
Yanga:
Yaw Berko, Shadrack Nsajigwa, Amir Maftah, Nadir Haroub, Wisdom Ndlovu, Athumani Idd, Abdi Kassim, Nurdin Bakari, Mrisho Ngasa, Jerry Tegete/ Boniface Ambani, Kigi Makasi/Godfrey Boniface.
Coach: Kostadin Papic
Manyema FC:
Oddo Nombo, Daudi Paul, Sunday Juma/Mzee Mayala, Adam Matunga, Sixbert Mohamed, Buji Ali, Adam Matunga, Yusuf Nguya, Julius Mrope, Benedict Ngasa /Musa Kipao, Bakari Mahadhi.
Coach: Abdallah Kibaden
