Yanga braced for tough test against TP Mazembe

DRC: YOUNG Africans face a crucial test today as they take on TP Mazembe in a CAF Champions’ League Group A encounter at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Yanga’s hope of progressing to the next stage hangs in the balance, following two defeats, placing them under immense pressure to secure first win.

Ahead of today’s encounter, at a pre-match interview, Yanga Head Coach Saed Ramovic expressed confidence and readiness, stating:

“It doesn’t matter what kind of opponents we are facing. We know that TP Mazembe is a great team with excellent players, so tomorrow (today) we will witness a very competitive match.

“I am aware that the last time Yanga played here in Congo, they won, but we cannot dwell on the past. We are approaching tomorrow’s game as a new challenge and we are ready for it.

“What Young Africans fans have done is extraordinary; traveling by bus all the way from Dar es Salaam to Lubumbashi is no easy feat. It’s a source of great comfort and motivation for us, knowing we have supporters who uplift us and keep us focused. What I can say is that we are here to bring them joy.”

The Tanzanian champions are currently at the bottom of Group A, with no points and no goal scored after losses to Al Hilal (2-0) at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and MC Alger (2-0) in Algeria. In contrast, Sudan’s Al Hilal lead the group with six points, followed by MC Alger with four, while TP Mazembe sit on third place with a single point.

Both Yanga and TP Mazembe are still searching for their first victory, making the match pivotal for their Champions League campaigns. A win for Yanga would not only boost their chances but also propel them to third place in the group standings. However, a loss would significantly diminish their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.

Yanga arrived in Lubumbashi with a 25-player squad, ready to take on the Congolese giants. They are focused on breaking their winless streak and address key weaknesses. In both previous losses, Yanga conceded goals in the second half, largely due to counter-attacks, a vulnerability they aim to avoid this time around.

The last time Yanga faced TP Mazembe was in the CAF Confederation Cup, where they emerged victorious with an aggregate score of 1-0 in 2023.

In today’s other Group A fixture, MC Alger will host Al Hilal at home in a late-night encounter. The match is expected to be equally competitive as teams battle for supremacy in the group.