TANZANIA : YOUNG Africans have set date with Al Merrikh of Sudan in second round of CAF Champions League following 7-1 aggregate win over ASAS of Djibouti at Azam Complex in the city on Saturday.
After 2-0 first leg win at the same venue last week, Yanga were merciless at the home venue on Saturday, blitzing the visitors with 5-1 victory.
For Yanga fans called the day Max Day because he was instrumental in his team’s victory.
Max Nzengeli was the match hero on Saturday after netting a brace. He scored the opener barely seven minutes after the start and closed the goal festival in the injury time.
Hafiz Konkoni headed home Yanga’s second goal in the 44th minute and Yanga finished the first half leading 2-0.
Yanga came strongly in the second half in a bid for more goals.
After several raids at ASAS goal, Pacome Zouzoua scored his team’s third goal in the 54th minute.
Yanga became more hungrier after the third goal in a hunt for more goals.
It was Clement Mzize who scored this time. His goal came in the 69th minute after a good combination.
ASAS woke up from a slumber in the last quarter of a thrilling match. They began to raid Yanga’s goal with well-planned raids.
It was in the 84th minute when the Djibouti-based side scored their consolation goal through a spot kick after Zawadi Mauya fouled ASAS striker. Tito Mayor stepped up to expertly convert the spot.
After eliminating ASAS, Yanga will face Al Merrikh of Sudan in the two-legged encounter, starting away in Khartoum before hosting them in Dar es Salaam. Both matches will be staged between September 14th and 29th this year.
It promises to be an intriguing battle as both teams have vast experience in the CAF-governed tournaments.
Yanga have to clear Al Merrikh hurdle to reach the group stage and it is the team’s target this season.
Al Merrikh eliminated AS Otoho of Congo Brazzaville after their barren draw at the Huye stadium in Rwanda and that made the Sudanese side to progress to the next stage on away goal’s rule with 1-1 aggregate score.
Al Merrikh coach Osama Nabih Mahmoud Mohamed Elghamrawy was full of praise for his charges after the progress to the next round.
“We played a tactical game. I thank the players, fellow coaches, management and fans who were part of us,” Osama said after the game.
Al Merrikh hosted the Congolese club at Huye International Stadium because of the prevailing unstable political situation in Khartoum city.
