Yanga’s Hamdi pleased with performance in Federation CUP

DAR ES SALAAM: YOUNG Africans Head Coach Miloud Hamdi has expressed satisfaction after his team clinched a spot in the Federation Cup Round of 16, following a commanding 3-1 victory over Coastal Union on Monday.

Maxi Nzengeli’s brace, along with Clement Mzize’s goal, sealed the win for the Young Africans. In his post-match comments on Wednesday, Hamdi acknowledged the unique challenges of knockout football but praised his side’s flexibility and clinical performance against the tough opponents. “We all know that knockout matches are never easy.

They demand a lot of energy and focus. Today (Wednesday) we faced determined Coastal Union, who have quality players.

However, I am pleased with how my team handled the pressure and secured an important victory,” said Hamdi.

The Young Africans boss credited squad rotation, highlighting the impact of players who don’t always start but stepped up when needed.

“I’m really pleased with the performance of all my players, including those who don’t typically start. They showed today why they deserve to be part of this great club,” he added.

On the other side, Coastal Union Head Coach Juma Mwambusi said that defensive errors played a significant role in his team’s defeat.

He noted that lapses in communication and frequent loss of possession, particularly in the first half, allowed Yanga to capitalise.

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“Defensive mistakes cost us today (Wednesday), especially in the first half. We lost possession too often and struggled in duels, which gave Yanga the upper hand.

These are areas we need to improve upon moving forward,” Mwambusi admitted. Despite the defeat, Mwambusi commended his players for their resilience and efforts in limiting Yanga’s goal-scoring opportunities.

Looking ahead, Young Africans will now turn their focus to their next challenge in the Federation Cup, where they will face Championship side, Songea United in the Round of 16, as they aim for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.