Yanga: No room for error

DAR ES SALAAM: YOUNG Africans Head Coach Pedro Gonçalves has warned that his team face a stern test in the CAF Champions League as they host Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar today.

Speaking ahead of the clash, the Portuguese tactician described the encounter as one of the toughest challenges in Group B fixture, noting that Al Ahly’s experience and pedigree demand maximum concentration from the first whistle to the last.

He stressed that composure will be crucial both in defence and attack, insisting that there will be no room for mistakes against the 11-time champions.

“We are facing a heavyweight team. There will be moments when we control possession and moments when they do, times when we attack and times when we must defend.

“We have to be fully focused in every phase of the match if we are to achieve our objective of winning,” Gonçalves said.

The coach said Yanga must remain disciplined, manage the tempo of the game intelligently and take their chances when they come, as any lapse could be punished by the ruthless visitors in a match expected to be decided by the finest of margins.

Yanga remain firmly in contention for a knock-out stage berth, but the margin for error is slim. Sitting second with four points, three behind leaders Al Ahly, the Tanzanian side must treat their remaining three matches as must-win encounters.

Maximum points, especially from two of their remaining home fixtures including today’s, would almost certainly guarantee qualification, as it would push them beyond the reach of the chasing pack and potentially even open the door to a late push for top spot depending on Al Ahly’s results.

Avoiding dropped points against AS FAR Rabat and JS Kabylie is critical, as those matches carry double value.

Behind them, AS FAR Rabat and JS Kabylie remain dangerous outsiders, both tied on two points but still within touching distance with three matches left.

With half of the group matches still to be played, the battle for the knockout stage is wide open.

“When we were drawn into this group, every team knew it was a tough group. As Young Africans, our job is to fight against every opponent. To put ourselves in a good position, we must be better, focused and ready to play good football,” Gonçalves noted.

Al Ahly Head Coach Jess Thorup expressed confidence in his squad’s readiness ahead of today’s encounter, insisting that his players are in high spirits after arriving in Zanzibar on Thursday and completing their preparations.

“Yanga’s first match came just three days after their players returned from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The cohesion between the players was not at 100 per cent because the preparation period was simply not enough for that match,” Thorup added.

Acknowledging the difficulty of playing away from home, Thorup admitted his side expect a tough test but remains optimistic.

“We know we will face a strong team playing at home, supported by their fans. However, we believe in ourselves, in our players and in their level, and this gives us the confidence to aim for victory,” he said.

Meanwhile, Al Ahly will be without midfielder Emam Ashour, who has been handed a two-week suspension after missing the team’s flight to Tanzania. The disciplinary action also includes a fine of 1.5 million Egyptian pounds (81.9m/-).