It’s not over yet, Yanga coach says

Dar es Salaam. Young Africans assistant coach, Juma Mwambusi has refused to give up on reaching the group stage of the CAF Champions League despite dropping two vital points in their 1-1 draw with Zambia’s Zanaco FC.

A late goal by Ghana-import Kwame Attram was more than enough to deny the Mainland champions victory at the National Stadium in their first round, first leg clash on Saturday.

In an interview with The Citizen yesterday, Mwambusi blamed the draw on fatigue, saying they played many games in a short time.

“My team looked very tired on Saturday and it is not surprising at all considering the number of matches we had played before the Zanaco game,” he said.

“We have played many games in a short time and my players could not recover well. The fatigue was evident in our play.

“We did all we could but we did not get good results. It is obvious that we are in a disadvantage position, but we can perform well in Lusaka.

“The chance is still there and we will work on our problems as well as to look on how we can outplay them on the return leg clash,” he added.

Attram levelled matters for the Zambian team in the 78th minute Simon Msuva gave the hosts the lead on 39 minutes.

The home draw has put Yanga in a precarious position as they now need a win of at least one clear goal in the return leg clash in Lusaka next weekend to sail through.

A draw of more than one goal will also be enough for George Lwandamina’s men to make it to the group stage. A barren draw will see Zanaco book a place in the next stage of the continent’s premier club tournament.

But Mwambusi says Yanga must believe they can still make it to the group stage of the money-spinning championship.

“It is never over,” he said. “Even if some people think it is, I don’t - we can’t think like that.”

‘It will not be an easy task, but we will have to make sure that happens,” he said.

Msuva had similar views, saying he believes team coaches will address the weaknesses they noted during the match.

“Let us not hide the truth, it will be very difficult. But we will try to make the impossible, possible,” he said.

Zanaco dominated Saturday’s game in both halves but forwards, Saith Sakala, Richard Kasinde, Augustine Mulenge and Attram failed to convert the chances that came their way.

Yanga forwards Donald Ngoma, Obrey Chirwa, Justine Zulu and Msuva fought desperately for goals, but the Zanaco backline was too strong to deny them the chance for victory. “We could have scored more goals but I am happy with the goal we scored. The goal gives us strength to play the second leg,” said Zanaco head coach, Numba Mumamba.

“We dominated the game well. I know George Lwandamina (Yanga head coach) and I had to respond to his tactical approach. I hope the second leg will be fascinating,” he added.

For his part, Zanaco striker Kwame Attram said he was optimistic they will book a place in the group stage.

“I can say that the Yanga goalkeeper (Deogratius Munishi) was amazing. He made some good saves, but we could have scored more if we were efficient in front of goal,” he said.

“Now we are looking forward to the second leg. We believe that we can book a place in group stage,” he said.

The two sides last met in 2006 in the same competition and Yanga won at home 2-1 before going down 2-0 in the return leg game in Lusaka.