The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Majuto Omary
23 May 2011
Young Africans fans might relish a chance to cheer their team in this year’s Cecafa Club Championship following the club’s decision to pay the $35,000 (Sh52m) fine.Cecafa slapped the fine on Young Africans (Yanga) in 2008 for refusing to play archrivals Simba in the Club Championship third-place play-off after unsuccessfully demanding a $50,000 appearance fee.
Given the gravity of the offence, the regional governing body also suspended the Jangwani Street outfit from competing in the championship for three years.
Speaking with The Citizen yesterday, Yanga secretary general Mwesigwa Celestine said that it was high time they buried the hatchet, a move that will help them to compete in the next edition of the Cecafa event, Kagame Cup.
“We want to have our presence felt in the next edition, which will also serve to shape up our team ahead of the African Champions League, therefore we’re prepared to end this saga. “At present, we are discussing with Cecafa officials on the mode of paying the fine.
We’ll feel the pinch because it a lot of money, but we have no option,” Celestine said.
According to him, Yanga have already asked Cecafa to pay in terms of instalments. “We’ll be comfortable paying in instalments, so we’re waiting to hear from them,” he said.
In another development, Yanga have successfully extended the contract of their defender Nadir Haroub, who was reported to have decamped to archrivals Simba.
Club’s registration committee official Salim Rupia said they worked day and night to fend off Simba interests and tied the no-nonsense defender until the 2013/14 season.
“We will be competing in the African Champions League next season, therefore it’s good to maintain our top players.
“Haroub is one of them and fortunately he has agreed to extend his stay at the club for two years,” Rupia said. Meanwhile, Doris Maliyaga reports that Yanga have captured Mtibwa Sugar’s speedy winger, Julius Mrope.
Mrope confirmed to The Citizen yesterday that he signed a two-year deal with the Mainland champions.”I’m delighted to have signed for Yanga. “It’s a great club that will be competing in the elite league next season,”The slippery forward said he would seize this opportunity to leave his mark on the continent.
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