Allan Okello: Dream Yanga Debut for Uganda Cranes Starboy as Tanzanian Giants Secure Big Win

Allan Okello had a great outing as defending champions Yanga sent a clear warning to their Mainland Tanzania Premier League rivals with a commanding 6-0 demolition of Mashujaa on Monday.

The lopsided victory was highlighted by standout performances from several new acquisitions. Okello and Mohamed Damaro were handed starts, while European-based striker Laurindo "Depu" Dilson made a memorable debut from the bench.

Damaro, a recent arrival from Singida Black Stars, opened his account just eight minutes into the match. Duke Abuya, Pacome Zouzoua, Prince Dube, Mudathir Yahya, and Depu also found the net in a display that showcased Yanga's formidable squad depth and tactical prowess.

Yanga asserted their dominance from the first whistle, controlling the game's tempo and monopolizing possession. Damaro was instrumental in this early control, slotting into a holding midfield position and shielding the central defensive pairing of Bakari Mwamnyeto and Dickson Job.

Despite it being his league debut, he played with composure, quickly building a rapport with his teammates.

Beyond his early goal, Damaro's distribution was impressive. In the first half alone, he successfully completed 13 of 15 passes, with his only errant attempts being ambitious long-range efforts. He also executed four of six long passes, effectively switching play to the left wing where Chadrack Boka and Pacome Zouzoua were causing problems.

While Damaro provided stability, Ugandan playmaker Okello offered flair and creativity from the right wing. He frequently drifted into central areas, pulling defenders out of position and opening up space for overlapping full-back Kibwana Shomary.

Okello's vision was on full display in the first half as he carved out three clear-cut chances. However, Prince Dube, Max Nzengeli, and Kibwana were all thwarted by Mashujaa goalkeeper Erick Johola, whose saves kept the scoreline respectable before halftime.

Yanga’s relentless pressure continued after the break. In the 55th minute, Mudathir Yahya and Depu were introduced for Pacome Zouzoua and Nzengeli, adding fresh impetus to the attack. Okello remained a key figure, completing 10 passes and testing the keeper with a shot in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Further changes in the 68th minute saw Mohamed Hussein and Conte replace Boka and Damaro, allowing Yanga to comfortably see out the game without dropping their intensity.

The final stages of the match belonged to Depu. The striker immediately won over the fans with his intelligent movement and physicality. He played a crucial role in the fifth goal, skillfully beating his defender to set up Mudathir Yahya, before getting on the scoresheet himself to complete the rout.

Depu's goal and assist were met with thunderous applause from the Yanga faithful, who were clearly thrilled by his impactful debut. The comprehensive victory not only secured three points but also demonstrated that with new talent integrating so effectively, Yanga are well-positioned for another strong title defence.