YOUNG Africans players remain confident of clinching the CAF Confederation Cup silverware as they interface USM Alger at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers, Algeria, tomorrow.
Heading to the game, hosts USM Alger are smiling to a 2-1 lead advantage they picked at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam in the first leg duel last Sunday.
Speaking at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) before departing to the battlefield, Yanga’s top striker Fiston Mayele said they still believe they can win the away match and return with the CAF title.
“This is the final game; every player knows his responsibilities of what to do; hence no need to remind each other since everyone understands the importance of the match,” Mayele said.
He added that they know that the stadium will be packed to capacity as many people will attend to watch the game, but that will not intimidate them because it will not be the first time to play at a full-house venue.
“They (USM Alger) are the ones to play with pressure to satisfy their fans, but for us, our target is to get good results; as such, we will not have any pressure at all,” Mayele said.
He then urged Tanzanians to pray for them so that at the sound of the final whistle, they should be the ones cherishing the victory and be able to be crowned new champions.
Further, Mayele has an eye for the golden boot, as he is currently leading the scorer’s chart with seven goals to his name.
His teammate Mudathir Yahya also indicated that they are ready for tomorrow’s last contest match, saying they aim to produce nothing less than a win.
“I do not think that the presence of many fans at the stadium will prevent us from executing our game plan…we are prepared for anything, and the game is open to either team to win the trophy,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, the 29-member Yanga squad deployed for the tense encounter comprises Goalkeepers Djigui Diarra, Metacha Mnata, Aboutwalib Mshery and Eric Johola.
Defenders: Bakari Mwamnyeto, Dickson Job, Joyce Lomalisa, Kibwana Shomari, Juma Shabani, Abdallah Shaibu, Ibrahim Abdullah (Bacca), Mamadou Doumbia, and David Bryson.
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho, Yannick Bangala, Zawadi Mauya, Mudathir Yahya, Salum Abubakar, Farid Mussa, Denis Nkane, Dickson Ambundo, Jesus Moloko and Tuisila Kisinda.
Strikers: Chrispin Ngushi, Bernard Morrison, Stephanie Aziz Ki, Clement Mzize, Kennedy Musonda and Fiston Mayele.
