Yanga still has a job to finish against Gaborone

Dar es Salaam. Mainland Tanzania champions, Young Africans (Yanga) still have a job to finish against Gaborone United after being held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their CAF Champions League knockout tie in Botswana.

The Tanzanian champions looked set to return home empty-handed before substitute Seleman Mwalimu struck in the fifth minute of added time to rescue a draw and keep Yanga’s hopes of reaching the next round firmly alive.

The result gives Yanga home advantage for the return leg, but the performance also exposed areas that coach Manqoba Mngqithi knows must be addressed if his side are to avoid another difficult night.

Yanga controlled much of the match and created several opportunities, but their failure to turn possession and chances into goals nearly proved costly. Mngqithi believes his players must show greater hunger and ruthlessness when they get into scoring positions.

“We need to have more hunger and ruthlessness when it comes to taking the chances we create,” said Mngqithi.

He also pointed to the quality of the playing surface as one of the factors that affected Yanga’s usual style, but praised his players for maintaining their composure and fighting until the final whistle.

The late equaliser was the reward for Yanga’s persistence. Maxi Nzengeli played an important role in the build-up, finding Mudathir Yahya, whose clever pass created the opening for Mwalimu to finish and bring the visitors level.

Gaborone prove they can hurt Yanga

Gaborone United, however, have shown they cannot be taken lightly. They took the lead in the 31st minute and defended their advantage for most of the match before Yanga finally found a breakthrough.

Their coach, Sean Connor, admitted his team allowed Yanga too much control after the break, but maintained that Gaborone still have a chance in the return leg.

“There are areas where Yanga make mistakes, and we will look to exploit them in Tanzania,” Connor said.

That warning should concern Yanga, particularly after Gaborone demonstrated their threat from set pieces and aerial balls.

Home advantage must count

Yanga’s substitutions also changed the flow of the match, with the introduction of Stephanie Aziz KI, Cheikh Toure and Mwalimu giving the attack greater energy and putting Gaborone under sustained pressure.

But the return leg will require more than pressure. Yanga must be more clinical in front of goal, while remaining alert to Gaborone’s counterattacking threat and strength in the air.

The 1-1 draw may have saved Yanga from defeat, but it has not solved the tie. With 90 minutes still to play in Tanzania, the message is clear: Yanga have the advantage of home support, but the job is far from finished.