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Dar giants taste CAF-level duels today

YOUNG Africans

DAR ES SALAAM : CAF Interclub Games envoys Young Africans and Azam launch their respective first preliminary round fixtures today with strong determination to stamp success.

Yanga host ASAS of Djibouti in the Champions League encounter at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam looking forward to kickstart their mission on full throttle by registering a triumph.

The two sides will meet again next Sunday at the same venue for the second preliminary stage interface whose overall winner will make it to the next phase of the competition.

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For Yanga, they have been privileged to host both matches in the city which is an advantage to them as they just need to make the most of it in order to book a ticket to reach the next phase.

“We don’t underrate ASAS because, though they are little known, it does not mean that they are incapable of giving us a difficult match…we need to fully focus throughout the encounter,” said Yanga coach Miguel Gamondi.

On the other hand, Azam face Bahir Dar FC at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Ethiopia for the duo’s first game in the CAF Confederation Cup eyeing to pocket a crucial away win.

The Ice cream makers are already aware that winning the away match will be a positive boost for them prior to the reverse leg encounter slated at Azam Complex in the city next week.

Already, Azam declared that their target is to step into the last 16 of the confederation cup, a feat they have never reached before as such, all their energy has been placed on the encounter.

Meanwhile, Singida Fountain Gate coach Hans Van Pluijm clapped hands for his charges following a brilliant 4-1 win over JKU in their Confederation Cup preliminary round clash at Azam Complex on Friday evening.

The victory gives them an upper hand to advance to the second phase of the contest if they will hold on to the stamped success without letting their opponents make a comeback.

“Of course, we are happy with this promising success though we could have scored more goals from several missed scoring opportunities we created…but, at least, what we have is tangible,” he said.

It was a poor start for Zanzibar teams, as earlier on the same day, KMKM suffered a 2-1 loss to St George of Ethiopia and the two teams will meet again next week in Addis Ababa for a reverse fixture.

The winning side after two legs, will play current CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly in the next stage before cruising to the group stage.