Yanga coach urged to be keen against Marumo in CAF match
Young Africans (Yanga) striker Fiston Mayele (left) vies for the ball against Marumo Gallants defender during the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on May 10., 2023. Yanga won 2-0. PHOTO | LOVENESS BERNARD
What you need to know:
- The two teams will meet tomorrow at the Venue Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng from 7pm Tanzania time and Yanga need only draw to qualify into final for the first time
Dar es Salaam. As the African football governing body (CAF) has named Libya’s Ibrahim Mutaz to be the centre referee, Young Africans (Yanga) technical bench has been urged to improve its defense line and sharpen its striking force ahead of the second duel of the CAF Confederation Cup semifinal against Marumo Gallants.
The two teams will meet tomorrow at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng at 7pm Tanzania time
Former Yanga defender and midfielder Ally Mayay said that they have to be very keen in the return leg due to the fact that Marumo Gallants have sharp strikers and the fastest attacking midfielders.
Mayay, who also serves as Tanzania’s Director of Sports Development, said that in the first match played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Marumo used techniques to penetrate Yanga’s defense and managed to create scoring chances.
He said Yanga have to be very keen in their defense due to the fact that Marumo mostly recorded victories at their home ground. “Before facing Yanga, Marumo Gallants eliminated the Pyramids of Egypt. The team (Marumo) forced a 1-1 draw in Cairo before winning 1-0 at the home venue.
Apart from that, the team managed to win various matches at the home venue, and that is an alert to Yanga,” said Mayay. Another former Yanga attacking midfielder, Akida Makunda, has urged the team’s players to play with determination in order to make new history in the competition. Makunda said that players have to know that it is a golden opportunity for them to qualify for the tournament’s finals by eliminating Marumo.
“Firstly, I commend the players for the best show in the first leg.
They must be aware that the second leg will not be easy as Marumo Gallants seek revenge as well as record a victory and qualify for the final.
They should not be satisfied with the results of the first leg. A 2-0 victory is recommendable, but it is not guaranteed that they have already qualified.
Players have to know that football sometimes has very strange results,” said Makunda.
Meanwhile, Libya’s Ibrahim Mutaz will be the centre referee of the encounter. Mutaz will be assisted by Attia Essa Amsaad, also from Libya, and Tunisian Khalil Hassani. The match’s reserve referee is Mehrez Malki from Tunisia.
