Goals from Sanda Soulei, Victor Mbaoma and Sharaf Eldin Shiboub steered APR FC into the semi-finals of the Mapinduzi Cup after coming from a goal down to beat Tanzania’s Young Africans 3-1 in a quarter-final encounter held at Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar, on Sunday, January 7.

Finalists of the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup, Young Africans were among pre-tournament favourites but their hopes of winning the competition came to an end after suffering a shock elimination at the hands of the Rwandan champions.

The Tanzanians took a lead in the 23rd minute through Jesus Moloko before Sanda equalized for APR in the 4th minute of additional time as both teams headed into halftime level at 1-1.

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Red hot striker Mbaoma made no mistake by putting the military side 2-1 ahead, scoring from the spot four minutes after recess after a clumsy challenge on Dieudone Ndayishimiye in the penalty box.

Shaiboub extended APR’s lead with the third goal in the 79th minute to cement the victory and set a semifinal date with Mlandege who knocked KVZ SC out of the tournament with a 3-2 victory on penalties after both sides played out a goalless draw in regular time.

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Mapinduzi Cup is an annual competition which forms part of the anniversary celebrations of the Zanzibar Revolution, which expelled the Sultan from power on January 12, 1964.

Tanzanian side Azam FC are the most decorated club in the competition with a record five titles.