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Yanga plotting Sagrada Esperanca downfall

Yanga goalie Deogratias Munishi is mobbed by fans after the team’s arrival from Egypt at the Julius Nyerere International Airport yesterday.

PHOTO | SAID KHAMIS     

What you need to know:

Young Africans jetted into the country yesterday and vowed to vent their Champions League frustration in the Confederation Cup playoffs.


Dar es Salaam. Young Africans jetted into the country yesterday and vowed to vent their Champions League frustration in the Confederation Cup playoffs.

The Jangwani Street giants crashed out of the Africa’s premiere club championship on Wednesday on a 3-2 goal aggregate.

They lost the second leg to the eight-time African champions, Al Ahly of Egypt 2-1.

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Despite failing to break the jinx against Arab teams, Yanga dropped to the Confederation Cup and will now have to see off Sagrada Esperanca of Angola in the playoffs if they are to reach group stage.

Speaking at the Julius Nyerere International Airport yesterday, Yanga assistant coach Juma Mwambusi said they have left the Al Ahly defeat behind them and that the team will strive to qualify for the group stage of the Africa’s second tier club championship.

“We were so close to changing history in Alexandria, but a last minute goal left us shell-shocked. Nonetheless, we have left that behind us. We are still competing on three fronts, so we have to focus on the matches ahead,” said Mwambusi.

Yanga are well on course for the defence of their league title and are still in contention for the Azam Sports Federation Cup crown.

They will confront the Angolan side on May 7 at the 60,000-seater National Stadium before travelling to Dundo two weeks later for the second leg showdown.

“We have never played Esperanca, so we can’t afford to underrate them. We have the heartache of missing out on the Champions League group stage, so we will go all out and ensure that we book our place in the group stage,” he added.

Mwambusi, who crossed to Yanga from Mbeya City, hailed the players for their determination against Al Ahly and urged them to “keep the fire burning.”

Yanga travel to Tanga today for their Federation Cup semifinal match against Coastal Union. The match will take place at Mkwakwani Stadium tomorrow.

The reigning champions will swing back into league action on Wednesday when they host Mgambo Shooting at the National Stadium.

In the headlines