The final witnessed Young Africans SC, alias Yanga, lift its third silverware of the season, beating Coastal Union 4-1 on penalties.
Yanga had earlier this season clinched the Community Shield having notched victory over Simba in what is also viewed as the season’s curtain-raiser.
The Jangwani Street club went on to win this season’s NBC Premier League top honour, whilst having an unbeaten spell.
Since the ASFC was introduced it was the first time the showdown’s final was decided by penalties after normal play plus extra time.
The ASFC showdown turned out to be a tough, entertaining game as both squads approached it with a winning mentality.
The mindset witnessed either outfit showcase professional football and make effort to garner the silverware.
The game thereafter became tough, with both squads’ players sweating and panting despite the cold weather.
Coastal Union, led by Tanga Regional Commissioner Adam Malima, was backed by about 500 fans that travelled from the region to support their outfit.
The club wanted to go down domestic soccer history as the other club based outside Dar es Salaam to have lifted the ASFC title.
Yanga was eager to be declared the ASFC winner after winning this season’s Community Shield, and Premier League trophies.
The Jangwani Street side’s mission eventually succeeded after clinching the tournament’s silverware, cruising to a 4-1 win over Coastal Union in the penalty shootout.
Yanga’s success, as a result, dashed away Coastal Union’s dream of making history.
The Yanga versus Coastal Union tie could hardly be compared to the 2020/21 ASFC final pitting Simba SC against Yanga that ended with midfielder Taddeo Lwanga netting the winner for the Msimbazi Street outfit.
The 2020/21 ASFC final took place at Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma.
It had witnessed football fanatics that booked 10 Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) wagons from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma to travel about 1000 kilometers to watch it.
Simba went on to lift the showdown’s silverware with a narrow win within 90 minutes.
Coastal Union reached ASFC’s final stage after notching a 6-5 victory over Azam FC 6-5 in the penalty shootout after 120 minutes of normal play of the last four’s duel had ended in a 0-0 draw.
Coastal Union’s footballers calmed their nerves, made the most of the spot-kicks, and bundled Azam FC out of the ASFC’s last four.
Yanga stormed into the tournament’s final with a 1-0 win over age-old rival Simba SC in a thrilling last-four duel that took place at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.
Midfielder Feisal Salum’s long-range strike earned Yanga the memorable win and a place in this season’s final.
Coastal Union’s midfielder Abdulhamis Suleiman ‘Sopu’ put extraordinary efforts in the 2021/22 ASFC final in which the footballer netted a hat-trick. The midfielder netted the goals in the 10th, 78th, and 98th minutes.
In an interview after the match, Sopu revealed the secret behind his team’s spirited displays, noting their head coach Juma Mgunda’s directives offered the zeal.
The midfielder disclosed that Coastal Union put teamwork spirit and held Yanga to a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes, doing all it can to keep the latter in check.
The goals have not only made Sopu popular but also witnessed him notch nine goals in 2021/22 ASFC and lift the showdown’s top scorer honour.
Yanga’s goals were netted by Feisal Salum, Herietier Makambo, and Denis Nkane.
During one of the tie’s stoppages, Coastal Union’s midfielder Victor Akpan called his teammates and headed to Mgunda to gain more tactics.
Yanga’s center-back Bakari Mwamnyeto hailed Suleiman for displaying good performance in the duel and conceded as it was tough.
The Yanga footballer said: ”We had difficulties but we appreciate this win, it is a gift for our fans, we gave them what they wanted.”
Coastal Union sought to dominate the midfield, deploying its wingers to unlock Yanga’s defense and execute short passes, the former had at times resorted to using long balls to keep the latter under pressure.
Coastal Union’s defense moreover worked hard to keep Yanga’s attackers led by the second-best Premier League goal scorer, Fiston Mayele, at bay.
Yanga’s right-back, Djuma Shabani, further had trouble facing Coastal Union wingers. He, alongside Mwamnyeto, seemed to have lost steam given the opponents proved to be a menace.
