Young Africans (Yanga) kept their NBC Premier League title ambitions on track after coming from behind to beat Mashujaa 2-1 at KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, remaining second in the standings with 22 points.
The victory takes Yanga to within two points of leaders Simba, who have collected 24 points, keeping the pressure on their traditional rivals in the early stages of the title race.
Mashujaa stunned the hosts by taking the lead in the seventh minute through Crispin Ngushi, putting Yanga on the back foot and forcing them to respond.
Yanga restored parity in the 20th minute when striker Peter Shalulile found the net, bringing the hosts back into the contest.
The teams went into the half-time break level at 1-1, with Yanga needing a stronger second-half performance to secure all three points.
Both sides resumed with attacking intent, but Yanga eventually found the breakthrough in the 76th minute through Clement Mzize.
The goal was a personal milestone for Mzize, marking his first since returning to action and giving Yanga the advantage at a crucial stage of the match.
Mashujaa attempted to fight back in the closing minutes, pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Yanga managed to protect their lead until the final whistle.
The result gives Yanga three important points as they seek to maintain pressure on Simba at the top of the table.
With Simba on 24 points and Yanga on 22, the two traditional rivals remain separated by just two points, making their battle for league leadership increasingly competitive.