Aubrey Amseb had given Gaborone United the lead in the 33rd minute with a powerful free-kick that beat Djigui Diarra. The hosts defended that advantage for most of the second half until Mwalimu, sent on in the 81st minute for Peter Shalulile, levelled deep in stoppage time.
The result leaves Yanga, coached by Manqoba Mngqithi, in a strong position for the second leg in Dar es Salaam. A win or a goalless draw at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium would send them through. A 1-1 return would take the tie to penalties.
Gaborone United will feel they let a famous win slip. Amseb’s free-kick looked enough against Tanzanian champions who have started their domestic season strongly. Yanga kept pressing and were rewarded when Mwalimu finished in the fifth minute of added time.
The winner of the tie will meet either Madagascar’s CFFA or Lesotho’s Lijabatho, after CFFA won their first leg 2-0. For Yanga, an away goal and a point is a platform. For Gaborone United, the task is now to score in Tanzania without being overrun.
Saturday’s late equaliser changed the shape of the tie. One moment earlier, Botswana had a first-leg lead. One moment later, Young Africans had the result they needed to take home.