Yanga grasp at straws as they fly out

Dar es Salaam. Grasping at straws, Tanzania’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup Young Africans left the country yesterday on a journey where nothing short of victory will guarantee them continued stay in the continental competition.  

Winless Young Africans are in Ghana ahead of their crucial match against Medeama FC next Tuesday at the Essipong Stadium.

Head coach Hans Van Pluijm is under pressure to get his team deliver after garnering only one point in the three matches that Yanga have so far played. The single point was squeezed after a draw against the Ghanaians at the National Stadium recently.  

“We are in a tough situation considering that we are playing away, but this is football, you can register good results anywhere. They forced a draw in our backyard, we can also win away,” Pluijm said. 

Only a win can give Yanga a glitter of hope for survival in the CAF Confederation Cup. Their journey will come to a sad ending if the hosts hold them Tuesday.

“My players are aware of the situation. It is a do or die position. But I am happy they are talking about victory, so there is a positive mood.”

 With two points, Medeama FC is third placed while Young Africans sits at the bottom in Group A. TP Mazembe is on top with seven points followed by Mo Bejaia, which has five points. 

Pluijm will go for the attack to put the hosts under pressure and try to score. “Even Medeama may choose to come in different this time. In the first match, they played defensive, but we opted for an open game, and they capitalised on our mistakes to equalise. This time round we will put pressure from the start,” said Pulijm.

The Ghanaians were held to a goalless stalemate by Algerian side Bejaia at home in Sekondi-Takoradi before they forced their draw against Yanga.

They are also still winless in three group matches having suffered a thrashing at the hands of a spirited Mazembe side in the opening game.