Bundesliga side FC Augsburg beat Tanzanian champions Young Africans SC in the opener of the Mpumalanga Premier’s Cup.
Augsburg, who are in South Africa for a pre-season camp, had the first notable chance after some fine interplay on the right wing, but Elvis Rexhbecaj’s shot from inside the box was straight at the Yanga keeper after six minutes.
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Young Africans had their first attempt on goal two minutes later but a shot by Maxi flew over the bar.
The Fuggerstädter had another chance after 20 minutes when new signing, Benin striker Steve Mounie sent a powerful shot towards goal but Diarra was up to the task again. Just two minutes later sent a shot from a good position past the post.
Yanga had their best chance of the first half after 30 minutes when Maxi’s shot hit the bar before Stephane Aziz Ki sent a curler towards goal, which Augsburg goalkeeper Klein pushed over the bar.
Augsburg eventually opened the score after 37 minutes with a well-placed shot from left-back Mads Pedersen.
The level in the second half dropped a bit after both sides rang the changes at half-time and it took until the 65th minute for the first notable attempt but Niklas Dorsch sent a shot over the bar.
Clement Mzize had a powerful shot from the edge of the box but it hit the side netting after 68 minutes.
Ten minutes from time, new signing Masaya Okugawa made it 2-0 from a tap-in after a low cross from Augsburg’s left flank.
Yanga pulled one back in the 86th minute thanks to a goal by new signing Jean Baleke to set a tightly-contested final few minutes.
The match finished with the 2-1 score-line, while TS Galaxy enter the tournament in Saturday’s second game, when they will face Mbabane Swallows from eSwatini.
