Yanga midfielder Andrey Coutinho celebrates after scoring against Tanzania Prisons during their Vodacom Premier League match at the National Stadium yesterday. Yanga won 2-1. Photo | Said Khamis
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The Brazilian hailed his players for their performance, but urged them not to be carried away by the slim victory
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) head coach Marcio Maximo has warned his players over complacency, a day after tasting the first Vodacom Premier League victory.
The Jangwani team bounced back with a laboured 2-1 win over Tanzania Prisons at the National Stadium on Sunday after opening the new season with a shock 2-0 defeat to Mtibwa Sugar.
The Brazilian hailed his players for their performance, but exhorted them not to be carried away by the slim victory.
“On Sunday, you could see cohesion in the team. Generally, it was an encouraging performance and I am confident that we will reach the top gear soon.
“This season seems to be very competitive, so we have to keep working hard and avoid complacency,” said the former Taifa Stars tactician.
After Sunday’s triumph, Yanga now sit eighth in the log with three points as reigning champions Azam FC and Mtibwa Sugar lead with six.
Maximo said his team would have recorded an impressive victory had they converted a host of chances that came their way.
“We have to be more aggressive in front of the goal; we created several good chances, but the conversion rate is still low.
“When you play good teams you have to take full advantage of your chances.
“We lost many chances against Mtibwa Sugar and we lost the match, but I have a belief that goals will come as the league gathers momentum,” he said.
According to Maximo, Yanga players were keen on improving on the Prisons victory when they take on stubborn JKT Ruvu this weekend.
“It will be a tough match considering the fighting spirit of JKT Ruvu, but we are almost reaching our best, so it will be an exciting match,” he said.
The Brazilian coach replaced Dutchman Hans van Pluijm in June.
Meanwhile, Majuto Omary reports that Simba SC Zambian coach Patrick Phiri has exuded confidence that his team will recover from a slow league start.
The Msimbazi Street heavyweights are still waiting on their first league victory after drawing the first two matches at home.
They opened the season with a 2-2 draw against Coastal Union before playing out a 1-1 draw against Polisi Morogoro on Saturday.
However, Phiri is not worried by the draws, saying he is still building the team and that Simba will grow stronger, and perform well this season.
“It is not the start we all wanted, but it is too early to judge our season. We are working on our weaknesses and I am optimistic that we’ll start winning matches,” he said.
Phiri admitted that his team’s defence has not gelled well that is why they concede easy goals.
