Morale boost for Yanga as Aucho ready for CAF match
Young Africans (Yanga) defensive midfielder Khalid Aucho in action. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The three players were uncertain to feature in the encounter after picking up injuries
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) technical bench have a reason to smile following a report that the team’s three key players, Khalid Aucho, Pacome Zouzoua and Kouassi Attohoula Yao will be fit ahead of the African Champions League quarterfinal match against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.
The players were uncertain to feature in the encounter after Pacome and Yao picked up injuries on March 17, 2024 in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League match against Azam FC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam while Aucho picked up an injury when the team was playing against Ihefu FC in the league tie.
The report from an impeccable source within the club said Aucho has started partial training while Pacome has joined his Ivorian national team for an international assignment.
The report also said Yao is in good form and has also started training and that even Zawadi Mauya has recovered while Kibwana Shomari is still nursing his injury.
Earlier, Yanga information officer Ally Kamwe said official updates regarding the players' conditions would be provided within the next 72 hours, following medical assessments by the team's doctors.
Kamwe noted that they were awaiting medical evaluations before making any conclusive statements about the players' ability to participate in training or in the upcoming match.
He said the team's depth would be tested as they were seeking to navigate through this challenging period and maintaining their competitive edge in the CAF Champions League.
Aucho, Zouzoua and Yao have been instrumental figures for Yanga SC throughout the season, contributing significantly to the team's success in domestic and international competitions.
Yanga SC are currently in top gear preparations for the Mamelodi Sundowns encounter, which is expected to be fiercely contested on March 30 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Apart from Yanga and Simba’s CAF matches, March 30 will also see DR Congo’s TP Mazembe hosting Angola’s Atletico Petroleos in Lubumbashi for an afternoon kick-off at Stade TP Mazembe.
Atletico Petroleos were an in-form team in the group stage of the ongoing tournament.
To conclude the first leg fixtures, Tunisia’s Esperance will be hosting Asec Mimosas in Tunis in the late evening clash.
