Yanga eye CAF Cup final as they host Marumo Gallants

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania football giants, Young Africans (Yanga), today clash with South Africa’s Marumo Gallants in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The encounter has been scheduled to kickoff at 4pm and will be officiated by Egyptian referees, according to the African football governing body (CAF)’s statement.

Referee Mahmoud El Banna will be at the centre of the pitch and will be assisted by Ahmed Hossam Taha and Samy Halhal while a reserve referee is Mahmoud Nagi.

The match is very crucial for the Jangwani Street side who target to make history for qualifying for the finals of the competition for the first time. Yanga head coach Nasreddine Nabi said they are taking the encounter seriously and target victory in order to have a good environment ahead of the second leg to be held at the Venue Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng, North-West in South Africa.  Nabi said all of his players are in good shape to produce a good result in the encounter.

He said his players are aware of their commitment to the encounter in which they have promised to fight hard and come out with a good result. “This is the most crucial match of ours in the competition. We need to stretch our muscles in order to win and create a good environment ahead of the final qualification. It is our first road toward the finals of the competition and we will have to be very keen throughout the match,” said Nabi.

He said Marumo Gallants are a strong team that they do not underestimate. “We really face a tough test and in any way of success, you need to meet strong opponents. So, we are expecting a strong opposition, but we need to do our best,” he said.

Yanga eliminated Rivers United of Nigeria on 2-0 goal aggregates to reach the stage for the first time in their history. They won 2-0 in away and later recorded a barren draw at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Marumo Gallants, who are under former Simba Sports Club head coach Dylan Kerr, reached the stage after eliminating Egyptian side Pyramids FC on 2-1 goal aggregates. Kerr promised to up a strong opposition against Yanga in the match.

Another match in the competition, which is to take place at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan from 7pm, is between Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast and USM Alger of Algeria.

The fixture shows that the teams will meet on May 17 for the return legs and the final match will be held on May 28 for the first leg and on June 3 for the return leg.