Yanga uncertain of entering knockout stage of CAF Champions League
Yanga defender Nickson Kibabage (centre) dribbles past Medeama SC players during the CAF Champions League first leg held at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Stadium in Ghana on Friday night. The teams drew 1-1. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- As of now, Egypt's Al Ahli lead the group with five points after playing three matches, while Medeama and CR Belouizdad are tied second with four points each. Yanga are currently at the bottom of the group with two points.
Dar es Salaam. Group D teams that will advance to the knockout stage of the CAF Champions League are still unknown following the results of two matches played on Friday in different countries.
Young Africans SC (Yanga), together with Simba SC representing Tanzania in the competition, drew 1-1 away against Medeama Sporting Club of Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana, while the defending champions, Al Ahly, failed to capitalize on their home advantage at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, settling for a draw against CR Belouizdad of Algeria.
The Medeama-Yanga match was exciting one as each team was targeting victory with the Ghanaians making efforts to score very early, but Yanga’’s defence stood firm to clear all the dangerous balls away.
Despite playing good football, the west African team had to wait until the 26th minute before getting the breakthrough.
A penalty kick awarded to the side was converted by top marksman Jonathan Sowah.With momentum on the side of Medeama SC, the expectation was that the team would take advantage to score a second to serve as assurance.
Unfortunately, that was not to be as the defence of the Ghana Champions went to sleep to allow Pacome Zouzoua to equalize in the 36th minute with a powerful shot just outside the danger zone.
The result has made group D unpredictable, as all the four teams have the chance of making it to the knockout stage if they are to perform well in their upcoming matches.
As of now, Egypt's Al Ahli lead the group with five points after playing three matches, while Medeama and CR Belouizdad are tied second with four points each. Yanga are currently at the bottom of the group with two points.
Given the current standings, each team need to accumulate more points in the remaining matches with the aim of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
For Yanga, winning the first two home matches is crucial to revive their hopes of progressing to the next stage of the tournament.
Yanga will face Medeama on December 20 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and later play against CR Belouizdad at the same venue on February 23, 2024, before concluding the group stage against Al Ahly in Cairo, Egypt, on March 1 next year.
