Yanga were forced to settle for a point after they were held to a goalless draw by Ruvu Shooting at the Lake Tanganyika Stadium in the NBC Tanzania Mainland Premier League on Wednesday evening.
The visitors got off to a bright start and nearly took the lead but Mohamed Makaka made a fine save to deny Fiston Mayele.
Rashid Juma had a chance to hand Ruvu the lead in the 19th minute after he connected with a pass from Iddy Mobby to get behind the defence but, before he could get his shot away, he was flagged for offside.
Mobby had a chance of his own in the 26th minute after a good touch but the Ruvu midfielder fired his effort narrowly wide of target.
Yanga had the ball into the back of the net five minutes later when slotted Farid Mussa hit home after pouncing on a rebound, but the attacker was offside.
Pius Buswita should’ve handed Yanga the lead in the 37th minute when he cut inside from the left before unleashing a shot at goal, which deflected out for a corner.
Neither side could break the deadlock after 45 minutes of play as the game went into the half-time break locked at 0-0.
Makaka saved his side’s blushes early in the second half when he made a terrific save after Yanga stole possession, trying to play the ball out from the back.
The Ruvu Shooting keeper was called into action again in the 55th minute when he made a comfortable save to deny Khalid Aucho’s powerful free kick.
Ally Kombo had a chance to break the deadlock in the 63rd minute after making a fine run in behind the defence, but the Ruvu fullback couldn’t strike the ball properly before Nathaniel Chilambo dragged his effort wide four minutes later.
Yanga continued to push forward after the 74th minute with Mayele attacking, but he headed his effort wide after receiving a pass from Kibwana Shimari.
Both teams pressed forward in the closing stages in search of the winning goal, but neither could find the back of the net for the spoils to be shared at the Lake Tanganyika Stadium.
