Manqoba rues profligate Yanga despite win

LINDI: YOUNG Africans Head Coach Manqoba Mngqithi commended his side’s patience after they beat Namungo FC 3-1 at Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi, with all four goals coming in the second half.

Mngqithi said Yanga created enough chances to have scored six or seven goals, but admitted he was worried their missed opportunities in the first half could have allowed Namungo to take advantage.

“I was just worried when you don’t take so many of your chances in the first half, games like this normally end up with a draw, or they steal it with one counter-attack,” Mngqithi said.

He said Yanga remained calm at half-time and continued moving the ball, believing Namungo would eventually tire. The approach paid off as Chadrack Boka, Maxi Nzengeli and Peter Shalulile scored after the break to give Yanga victory in their first NBC Premier League match of the season.

Herbert Lukindo scored Namungo’s goal. Mngqithi also praised Namungo coach Juma Mgunda for choosing a cautious approach to limit Yanga’s chances.

“For him to respect the game and say I want to minimise the chances that Yanga gets, for me that was very intelligent of him,” he said, adding that the match could easily have ended with more goals.

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Shalulile’s goal was also a positive for Yanga after the striker had been waiting for his first league goal. Mngqithi said he had never doubted the Namibian’s ability to score.

“He’s got too many goals in him,” the coach said.

“He’s got what it takes to cause problems for the defenders.” For Namungo, Mgunda accepted that his team had been punished for its own mistakes against a Yanga side with quality players.

He said the goal they conceded came from their own error and that repeated mistakes against strong opponents would always be punished. Mgunda also acknowledged the disappointment of the defeat but said there were positive signs from his young side that could be developed as the league had only just started.

He singled out the young goalkeeper for particular attention after the costly mistake, but said the player needed to learn from the experience rather than lose confidence.