Young Africans (Yanga SC) head coach Miguel Gamondi expressed his immense pride and satisfaction with his team’s performance after they beat Azam FC 4-1 to lift the Community Shield.

“To start the new season with a trophy feels incredible,” Gamondi said as quoted by the Guardian. “We are hungry to win trophies, and it’s our job to do just that. The match performance was unbelievable. This team has improved with every game, and I think we played a fantastic match.

“Even when we conceded an early goal, we stayed calm and composed, eventually scoring three goals. In the second half, we managed the game well, which is proof of our maturity. I believe we fully deserved to win this Cup.”

Gamondi’s emphasised on maintaining composure, even after conceding an early goal, was evident in the way Young Africans responded on the pitch.

“This is where maturity comes into play. It’s a professional thing. We know we’re a team that can concede a goal, but we need to stay calm and focus on what we need to do. Football is like that; you can’t let your emotions take over. The players showed a very professional attitude tonight,” he added.

With the Community Shield now in their trophy cabinet, Young Africans’ focus shifts to the upcoming Tanzanian Premier League season, where they will be aiming to defend their title.

Young Africans, who have won the league for three consecutive seasons, will begin their title defense on August 29 with an away match against Kagera Sugar at Kaitaba Stadium.

The reigning champions will undoubtedly be under pressure to maintain their winning streak, but their strong start suggests they are well-prepared for the challenge.