Timu ya Wannachi scored the opener but they conceded a penalty in the latter stages of the first half
Yanga SC and Nyasa Big Bullets shared the points after registering a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the Cecafa Kagame Cup on Sunday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Yanga took an early lead when Tanzanian international Waziri Junior struck in the eighth minute before Chiukepo Msowoya equalised for the Malawian side in the 36th minute through a penalty.
Yanga’s head coach, Nasreddine Nabi, opted to play the majority of the players who did not feature prominently in the Mainland Premier League and in the Shield Cup games throughout the 2020/21 season.
The new signing from Dodoma Jiji FC, Dickson Ambundo, was also given a starting role as Yanga took part in the pre-season tournament meant to prepare the teams for future Caf Champions League duties.
Big Bullets, who were invited to the regional tournament, would be satisfied with the opening point as they joined the competition a little bit late after winning their domestic league title.
On Monday, three games will be played, with Uganda’s Express FC facing Altabara FC of South Sudan in a Group A match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Le Messager Ngozi of Burundi will play Zanzibar’s KMKM SC, while KCCA FC will take on Azam FC, who are the other Tanzanian representatives, and the two games will be played at the Azam Complex in Chamazi.
The best two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-final stage.
Kenya did not send a representative as Tusker withdrew late to concentrate on the Premier League campaign that will end in later this month.
On August 4, Yanga will engage in their second matchday action against Atlabara, while Big Bullets will be up against Uganda’s champions Express.
Yanga SC XI: Ramadhan Kabwili, Paul Godfrey, Adeyum Saleh, Dickson Job, Abdallah Shaibu, Rashid Chibada, Dickson Ambudo, Best Kahemela, Waziri Junior, Juma Mahadhi, Jimmy Ukonde.
Subs: Magangwa, Manyama, Mashoto, Kwangala, Kiondo, Yunus, Msenda.
Nyasa Big Bullets XI: Rabson Chiyenda, Sankhani Mkandawire, Yamikani Fodya, Miracle Gabeya, NGomezgani Chirwa, Ben Manyozo, Chimwemwe Idana (C), Bright Munthali, MacFarlane Mgwira, Adepoju Babatunde, Chiukepo Msowoya,
Subs: Kakhobwe, Nyasulu, Mpokera, Kayira, Kansungwi, Mfune, Kajoke.
