Yanga face tricky test against Ihefu in NBC Premier League

Dar es Salaam. After qualifying for the second time in the CAF Champions League, Yanga return to the Tanzania Mainland Premier League against Ihefu FC at the Highland Estate grounds in Mbeya.
Yanga qualified for the CAF group stage after eliminating Al Merreikh of Sudan on 3-0 aggregate.

Yanga recorded a 2-0 victory against El Merreikh in an away encounter and later 1-0 at the Azam Complex to reach the stage for which they first qualified in 1998.

The Yanga-Ihefu match is crucial for both teams to win and improve their chances in the league standings.

The game is expected to be thrilling as Yanga target to maintain their unbeaten run and Ihefu FC aim to spoil the record as they did in the last season.

Records show that the two teams have met four times since 2020, and Yanga won three times against Ihefu FC.
Yanga head coach Miguel Gamondi said they are targeting a victory over Ihefu to maintain their winning note.

Yanga have so far collected nine points from three matches, while Ihefu FC have won one point out of the three matches they have played.
“We need to be well-focused on the match, as it is not going to be easy.

We want to maintain our winning streak by continuing to win match after match, despite facing opposition,” said Gamondi.

Gamondi said he is not underestimating Ihefu FC, who shocked them last season after losing 2-1 at the same venue.

He said Ihefu FC are one of the strongest teams in the league and explained that despite the team having managed to win three matches, it does not guarantee them an easy win against Ihefu FC.

“My players need to fight hard due to the fact that Ihefu FC will also be targeting victory in the encounter.

“We managed to win 5-0 over KMC and over JKT Tanzania before recording 1-0 against Namungo FC in the toughest encounter,” said Gamondi.

However, he said his two players, Farid Mussa and Jonas Mkude, will not be part of the team in the encounter due to the injuries they picked up in their past matches.

“We didn’t have enough preparations since we are coming out of a big game, but I’m thankful that we’ve won three major league matches. The players are showing competitiveness, and tomorrow we target winning all three points in order to stay at the top,” said Gamondi.

Yanga’s attacking midfielder, Mudathir Yahya, said they are targeting victory in the encounter in order to continue with their unbeaten run in the league.

“We are ready for the encounter, and we promise to do our best in the match. However, I know it is not going to be easy,” said Yahya.