WOMEN COMMUNITY SHIELD: Yanga, JKT cruise to final

DAR ES SALAAM: YANGA Princess will face JKT Queens in the 2024 Women’s Community Shield final after defeating Simba Queens 4-3 on post-match penalties at KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

The tense second semi-final game witnessed Simba Queens roaring from behind to make a late comeback as they equalised in the 90th minute, courtesy of substitute Gentrix Shikangwa.

She responded from an early goal netted by Agness Pallangyo who drove Yanga Queens ahead prompting the hosts to fight hard for the leveller.

With the outcome, Yanga Princess will host JKT Queens at KMC Complex in the city on Saturday as the latter booked the finals slot after defeating Ceasiaa Queens 7-0 at the same venue.

Just one minute into the match, Yanga Princess made a breakthrough thanks to a close range header by Pallangyo which easily landed to the back of the net.

She enjoyed a free header as three Simba Queens defenders missed the opportunity to clear the dangerous corner-kick ball that landed in the congested box.

Despite conceding, the hosts could not sit back as they attempted to make it level before half-time but the visitors were firm and diffused any danger that knocked at their door throughout the opening segment.

At restart, the intensity of the match amplified with Simba Queens having the lion’s share for the sake of making an early comeback.

Their best chance came in the 58th minute when substitute Gentrix Shikangwa misused a golden chance to net an equaliser.

However, a late drama occurred in the 90th minute when a defensive error committed by Yanga Princess rewarded Shikangwa a priceless chance to level the deficit and made the game to be decided on post-match penalties.

Meanwhile, in an early match yesterday, JKT Queens player Stumai Abdallah was merciless as she sealed a hat-trick to enable her side secure the massive victory.

Others who contributed goals for the hosts were Winfrida Gerald who opened the scoreboard in the 21st minute after using well defensive flaws by Ceasiaa Queens.

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Then an own goal by Ceasiaa Queens defender Aisha Juma gifted JKT Queens a second goal while Anastazia Katunzi increased the tally in favour of her team to make it 3-0.

Stumai who found the back of the net three times scored her first shortly before the half-time before doing the same in the 46th and 64th minutes of the second half.

In the 86th minute, Janeth Medson completed the mission as her late strike made it 7-0 for JKT Queens who cherished the sweet win n at the sound of the last whistle.