Yanga give fans 36,000 free tickets for Mamelodi CAF tie

Dar es Salaam. At least 36,693 football fans of Young Africans (Yanga) will freely attend the CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

That was revealed yesterday by Yanga information officer Ally Kamwe when explaining the preparations of the match to kick off at 9pm on March 30 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Kamwe said the decision is to give their fans the chance of attending the crucial match of the competition, explaining that Mamelodi Sundowns are expected to arrive in the country on March 28.

“We had a meeting ahead of our CAF Champions League match against a famous team from South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns, We discussed many issues about the upcoming high profile encounter on the continent. Since the match is crucial, fans for blue and green seats will not pay entrance fees. This is because we want them to turn up in large numbers to support their team. Yanga and security organs have prepared special measures to ensure the exercise is well conducted without affecting the stadium’s procedures,” said Kamwe.

As per records, the blue area has 17,045 seats while the green one has 19,648 seats, making a total of 36,603 seats if all occupied. “We call upon our members and fans to turn up in large numbers and give support to our highly-spirited players ahead of the encounter,” he said.

He said fans, who will stay in the area of VIP A with 748 seats, will have to cough up Sh30, 000 each and Yanga will collect Sh22, 440,000 from the area if all the tickets are to be sold out while fans in the VIP B area with 4,160 seats will have to pay Sh20, 000 each and the club will rake in Sh83, 200,000 if all the tickets are to be sold out.

VIP seats will each be for Sh10,000 and Yanga will collect Sh40, 600,000 if all the tickets are to be sold out. Arithmetically, Yanga may collect a total of Sh146, 240,000.

Yanga’s report on injuries

Kamwe said only Kouassi Attohoula Yao is uncertain to feature in the encounter. The Ivorian right back is suffering from thigh strains picked up last Sunday in the Mainland Premier League match against Azam FC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

“A report from our medical team indicates that Yao is fifty-fifty to play the game. So, his inclusion will depend on his quick recovery,” he said.

He also said striker Pacome Zouzoua’s status will depend on a report from Ivorian national team medical staff. Zouazoua is now in France with the Ivory Coast national team ahead of FIFA international friendlies.

According to Kamwe, players Khalid Aucho and Zawadi Mauya are doing well and may feature in the match while Kibwana Shomary is still receiving treatment.