Yanga set Gallants on target

YOUNG Africans coach Nasreddine Nabi has declared his squad ready to face Marumo Gallants in the first leg CAF Confederation Cup semifinal match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam today.

The two teams are battling for a ticket to play in the competition’s final and will meet again for the return leg match in South Africa on Wednesday next week.

It is therefore an important game for both teams knowing in advance that they are just too close to step into the event’s throne.

“Of course, we have had good preparations for the match and all players are looking forward to play the lungs in order to reach the desired goal.

“We had enough time to study Marumo Gallants and regardless the fact that they are not performing well in their domestic league, they are not a side to be underrated,” Nabi said.

Adding, he said in all their Confederation Cup matches this term, the South African giants have succeeded to score a goal and managed to knock out big teams in the process.

“We have to be cautious throughout the game because for them to reach the semifinals, it means they are competitive enough hence we should not take them for granted.

“This is a two-legged match meaning that the game does not end tomorrow (today) as such, we should be aware that even them (Marumo Gallants) are well prepared to stamp good results,” he said.

He then seized the moment to announce that full-back Juma Shabani is not going to be part of his brigade as he is being troubled by cough while the rest are in good shape to fight for the club.

Addressing Yanga fans, Nabi called them to fill the venue to support the team in 90 minutes without ceasing just like the way European fans do to their teams.

“In football, there are moments when you are attacked by your opponents and in such circumstances, our supporters should not stop to cheer their players on the battlefield,” he said.

On his part, Marumo Gallants Assistant Coach Raymond Mdaka also confirmed that his charges are ready for the game and that they have taken into consideration all details to enable them to achieve success.

“No special preparations for this match have been made because we are going to approach them in the same way we do with other teams either in the confederation cup or in our premier league,” Mdaka said.