Ugandan playmaker Allan Okello delivered a masterclass performance as Young Africans (Yanga) dismantled Police FC 7-1 to cruise into the Round of 16 of the CRDB Federation Cup at the KMC Complex on Sunday night.
Okello played a decisive role in four of Yanga’s goals in a dominant display under the floodlights, as the Tanzanian giants treated their supporters to a relentless attacking exhibition.
The hosts wasted no time asserting their authority. Inside the opening minute, Mudathir Yahya capitalized on early pressure to fire Yanga ahead, calmly slotting home to ignite the evening.
Yanga continued to pile on the pressure and doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute through Laurindo Dilson Maria Aurelio, widely known as Depu. The forward unleashed a thunderous strike to beat the goalkeeper before adding his second of the night in the 34th minute. That move started with Okello’s involvement in midfield before Mudathir provided the final pass for Depu to finish clinically.
Police’s night worsened in the 38th minute when defender Joseph Majagi inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to deal with an Okello effort that had rebounded off the post, stretching Yanga’s lead even further.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Yanga firmly in control. In the 59th minute, Depu completed his hat-trick after meeting a superb delivery from Okello, taking the scoreline to four for the hosts and underlining their attacking dominance.
Police briefly found a response in the 71st minute, but it came in unfortunate fashion for Yanga as defender Frank Assinki accidentally guided the ball into his own net.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished. Substitute Buba Jammeh made an instant impression off the bench, striking in the 76th minute to restore Yanga’s commanding advantage.
Abdulnassir Mohamed rounded off the emphatic victory in the 84th minute, firing through a crowded penalty area after a move sparked by Okello’s clever short corner routine.
The convincing win sends Yanga comfortably into the Round of 16, with Okello’s influential display standing out as the highlight of a memorable night for the Dar es Salaam outfit.
