SportPesa Cup Magic Moments: Allan Wanga Stuns Yanga
18th January 2019
Veteran Kenyan striker led his inexperienced Kakamega Homeboyz to mow down the giants of East African football in a 2018 quarterfinal played at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru
- Established as a tribute to the intense rivalry between the two nations that started in back in the 1920s when the Gossage Cup-the front-runner to the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup- the invitational eight-team knockout competition has grown to be a key date in the regional calendar
- If there is one player who perhaps understands the deep-seated football rivalry between teams from Kenya and Tanzania more than most, Wanga, 33, fits the bill
- While Homeboyz were gyrating with joy, the Yanga defence sang to a different tune as Wanga, who should have scored a hat-trick by the time he hobbled off in the 60th minute, led them on a merry dance they will not forget in a hurry
NAIROBI, Kenya- The previous two editions of the SportPesa Cup- formerly known as the SportPesa Super Cup- gave local football talent from Tanzania and Kenya a chance to shine at the East African stage.
Established as a tribute to the intense rivalry between the two nations that started in back in the 1920s when the Gossage Cup-the front-runner to the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup- the invitational eight-team knockout competition has grown to be a key date in the regional calendar.
In the SportPesa Cup Magic Moments series in the run up to the third edition that kicks off on Tuesday (January 2) to January 27, we look back at the defining contributions of players who seized the opportunity to shine at the 2017 and 18 editions.
To set us off, here is an account of when seasoned veteran forward; Allan Wanga left an indelible mark during the 2018 tournament held from June 2 to 10 in the lakeside Kenyan town of Nakuru.
Grabbed chance
If there is one player who perhaps understands the deep-seated football rivalry between teams from Kenya and Tanzania more than most, Wanga, 33, fits the bill.
The widely travelled forward has among other teams, starred for Kenyan giants AFC Leopards SC and Tusker FC, two of the sides that made the 2017 SP Cup roster as well as Tanzania heavyweights, Azam FC.
When his Kakamega Homeboyz FC side were given an invitational ticket to feature in Nakuru and drawn against Dar giants, Yanga SC, Wanga one of the only two players in the outfit to play outside Kenya grabbed his chance and ran for the hills.
The long-serving striker who has 22 goals in 44 appearances for Kenya delivered two devastating blows in four first half minutes as Homeboyz produced a monumental shock by beating Yanga 3-1 at Afraha Stadium.
He led his teammates who had no experience of facing such illustrious opponents to believe they could make the impossible possible by winning their first senior trophy.
After scoring his first in the 26th minute having seen the referee deny him a huge shout for a penalty, Wanga initially raced to the right corner of Afraha Stadium, Nakuru before turning and running to the opposite side where photographers were eagerly waiting.
He was soon joined by his jubilant teammates and he launched into his famous celebratory dance dubbed ‘Wanga Musica’ in local press as a nod to the Congolese Lingala music it is adapted from.
Different tune
While Homeboyz were gyrating with joy, the Yanga defence sang to a different tune as Wanga, who should have scored a hat-trick by the time he hobbled off in the 60th minute, led them on a merry dance they will not forget in a hurry.
Almost in a trice Wanga delivered the second blow to the record 27-time Tanzanian league winners’ ambitions when he sent Yanga keeper, Michael Wanyika, the wrong way from the spot.
“I’m happy to have played and scored two goals. It’s a great achievement and I’m proud that the team held on for this important victory.
“My injury kept me out unfortunately but I hope that I will be cleared to play in the semis,” the striker stated post-match.
Substitute Wycliffe Opondo settled the tie at the contest with a late third but Wanga had already done the damage in a blink of an eye.
Unfortunately, the injury he picked up during that quarterfinal meant he could play little part when Yanga eternal rivals Simba SC knocked his brave side out of the semis on post-match penalties and later on, in their bronze medal match loss to Singida United FC.
But there is no denying his devastating quick-fire double will be part of the SportPesa Cup folklore and Homeboyz fans will long cherish the day they toppled a giant of African football.
Allan Wanga profile
Full name: Allan Wetende Wanga
Date of birth: November 26, 1985 (age 33)
Place of birth: Kisumu, Kenya
Height: 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position: Striker
Club information
Current team
Kakamega Homeboyz (player and sporting director)
Youth career
FIFA Kingdom
St Paul's High School
Senior career
2005–2006: Lolwe (Kenya)
2007: Tusker (Kenya)
2008–2010: Petro Atletico (Angola)
2010: FK Baku (Azerbaijan)
2011–2013: Hoang Anh Gia Lai (Vietnam)
2012: AFC Leopards (Kenya/loan)
2013–2014: AFC Leopards
2014–2015: Al-Merreikh (Sudan)
2015–2016: Azam (Tanzania)
2016–2017: Tusker
2018– Kakamega Homeboyz
National team
2007–2015: 22 goals in 44 appearances