It’s D-day for Dar envoys today

THREE envoys in CAF Interclub games are in action today aiming to stamp success in their first leg assignments.

At Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Young Africans host Al Hilal of Sudan in a first round match of CAF Champions League as two other envoys; Simba and Azam will be away in Angola and Libya respectively.

In Libya, Azam face Al Khadar at Martyrs of February Stadium in the first round match of CAF Confederation Cup also with ambition to kick-off their campaign on front pedal.

The fourth team, Kipanga, who also play in CAF Confederation, will be in action tomorrow hosting Club Africain of Tunisia at Amani Stadium in Zanzibar.

It is therefore a busy day for Tanzania teams knowing in advance that failure to produce tangible results will have an impact in the return matches which are always tough regardless whether playing at home or away.

However, Yanga have maintained that everything is well and are ready to play against the Sudanese giants while insisting that their target is to qualify for the group stage of the decorated club football showdown on the continent.

At a press briefing yesterday, the team’s Head Coach Nasreddine Nabi said all necessary preparations needed for the big match have been completed and that his charges are set for the encounter.

“We have been doing our preparations calmly without any disturbances because we need full concentration.

“We are playing against a good team which has got enough experience in the championship league and about seven years ago, I coached them and we succeeded to reach into group stage.

“But they (Al Hilal) are also wary of us hence the game is going to be difficult to both sides. I have already informed the players to be cautious throughout the match because it is a tense one,” said Nabi.

On his part, Al Hilal Head Coach Florent Ibenge said it will not be an easy match to both sides bus insisted that they are going to do everything possible to make good results.

He then named Jesus Moloko, Bernard Morrison, Juma Shaban, Joyce Lomalisa, Tuisila Kisinda and Yannick Bangala as some of Yanga players he has trained before.

“They are all good players… international players and Yanga have got many good players. Yanga is a good team with good players and I do not know if you can have an easy game but we are confident to reach to group stage,” he said.