Yanga midfielder Andrey Coutinho during a recent training session in Dar es Salaam. All eyes will be on the Brazilian who is among several stars who joined the Jangwani Street club for the 2014/15 season. photo | file
What you need to know:
The friendly, which will kick off at 5:pm, will see Maximo guide Yanga in the first international match ahead of the Community Shield match against Azam FC
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) face real test this evening when they lock horns with Kenyan Premier League side, Thika United, at the 60,000-seater National Stadium.
The friendly planned to kick off at 5:pm will see Marcio Maximo guide the former champions in the first international match ahead of the Community Shield match against Azam FC on September 13.
Yanga, who have bolstered their squad significantly, have been sharpening their skills in Zanzibar and today’s match will give their fans a clue on how strong their team is.
Benno Njovu, the club’s secretary general, told The Citizen that the match will start a bit late because they want many Yanga fans to attend the match.
“Many fans would like to see their new-look squad play a serious match. We have played some friendlies in Zanzibar and won, but now we want our Mainland fans to see their team.
“This will also be Maximo’s firstinternational match, so there is every reason for the fans to throng the National Stadium and enjoy football,” he said.
The Brazilian tactician was hired by the Jangwani Street heavyweights two or so months ago, replacing Dutchman Hans Van Der Pluijm.
He added: “Preparations for the match are in place; we also plan to officially unveil our new players on Wednesday (today). I am confident that the fans will experience a rare treat.”
Speaking about the match, Maximo said it would provide a perfect test for his players ahead of the Azam match and 2014/15 Vodacom Premier League season, which starts on September 20.
“We won all friendly matches in Zanzibar, but you can’t be satisfied with those victories. However important they are, we need a tougher outing and I think Thika United will provide that,” the Brazilian said.
“We are almost ready for the new season, but we will need one or two more build-up matches.
“Yanga will be fighting in two fronts this season; in the Premier League and CAF Confederation Cup, so the match against Thika will definitely strengthen us,” he said.
Twenty-six-member of Thika United were expected to arrive in Dar es Salaam late yesterday ready to face the Mainland giants.
The club’s top management through the CEO Michael Muriuki applauded Yanga’s invitation and wished the relationship lasts for the benefit of young players.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to the management of Yanga FC for the rare invitation and we hope the cordial relationship will grow into a fruitful one especially for our youthful players,” he said.
Thika United are currently ranked at position five with 33 points in the KPL table.
