Young Africans seek revenge on USM Alger

Dar es Salaam. Young Africans play USM Alger of Algeria today at the National Stadium in a an expected revenge encounter of the ongoing African Confederations Cup matches.

In the Group D match that has been scheduled to start from 7pm, the Tanzanian side would like to exact a revenge after the 4-0 defeat it suffered in the first encounter held in Algiers on May 6, this year, at the Stade du 5 Juillet 196.

USM Alger also need victory to qualify for the quarterfinal stage of the tournament. Young Africans are placed at the bottom of the standings with one point while Alger are tied at the top with Gor Mahia with eight points each.

The other group D encounter will see Gor Mahia play Rayon Sport of Rwanda at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi, Kenya.

However, a Young Africans victory will only serve to improve the team’s status in the continental competition as well as take home US 275,000 (Sh627 million).

Team head coach Mwinyi Zahera said they are taking the encounter seriously, adding that they are optimistic about winning. Zahera said his players have trained well and he expects to field his best players to ensure victory.

Team striker Heritier Makambo will be playing his first international encounter since he joined the team. Two players, Deus Kaseke - who rejoined the club from Singida United - and Matheo Anthony, were granted clearance by CAF and featured in the encounter against Gor Mahia at the National Stadium whereby the Jangwani Street boys lost 3-2.

“We trained in Morogoro for three weeks and all players are in top form. It will be the real test for the new team before we start our league on August 23 against Mtibwa Sugar at the Uhuru Stadium,” said Zahera.

The DR Congo-born tactician called on soccer fans to attend the encounter to give the team maximum support.

“It will be the first match we will play at the National Stadium since we assembled in Morogoro. We take the encounter as part of introducing the new squad,” he said.