Chama, Nzengeli, Yao to miss crucial CAF Champions League clash against TP Mazembe

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's football giants, Young Africans (Yanga), will be without the services of four key players in their crucial CAF Champions’ League group match against TP Mazembe.

The match is scheduled for Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, kicking off at 4pm.

The missing players are Clatous Chama, Maxi Nzengeli, Kouassi Attohoula Yao, and Aziz Andambwile.

Although the players have attended training sessions, they have not recovered sufficiently to compete in this critical fixture.

According to a source, the players did not participate in intensive training ahead of the match as they are yet to fully regain their fitness.

“The players will not be fit for the encounter as they have not attained the necessary fitness levels. However, other players are in top form and ready to deliver their best in the match,” said the source.

Yanga head coach Sead Ramovic expressed confidence that the team could perform well despite the absence of these key players.

“The absence of these players will not make us lose the encounter because we have other players who are ready for the match and determined to win,” said Ramovic.

He added that there are capable players who will step up and fill the vacant positions. Kibwana Shomari is expected to replace Yao, while Chama and Nzengeli’s roles will be covered by other attacking midfielders in the squad.

While their absence is undoubtedly a significant blow to Yanga’s aspirations in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals, Ramovic remains optimistic about the team’s chances.

Both Yanga and TP Mazembe face a must-win scenario to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive.

Yanga currently sits at the bottom of Group A with one point, while TP Mazembe occupies third place with two points.

Group leaders Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan have nine points, having won all three of their first-round matches, while MC Alger of Algeria sits in second place with four points.

No team has yet secured qualification to the knockout stage, but Al Hilal needs just three more points to confirm their spot.

A win for either Yanga or TP Mazembe will revive their chances of claiming one of the top two positions in the group.

Yanga’s remaining group stage fixtures include an away match against Al Hilal on January 10, 2025, and a home clash with MC Alger on January 17.

TP Mazembe, who played to a 1-1 draw with Yanga in their first encounter in Lubumbashi, is leaving no stone unturned in preparation.

As the countdown to Saturday’s match continues, football fans are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling encounter between two sides fighting for survival in Africa’s premier club competition.