Yanga shift focus to CRDB Cup after exit from CAF Champions League
Young Africans (Yanga) players during a past training session. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Yanga will this Saturday host Copco FC, a team competing in Tanzania Mainland's First League, at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam. The match is programmed to kick off at 4pm.
Dar es Salaam. After failing to qualify for the knockout stage of the CAF Champions League, defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) have now shifted their focus to the CRDB Bank Federation Cup round of 64.
Yanga will this Saturday host Copco FC, a team competing in Tanzania Mainland's First League, at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam. The match is programmed to kick off at 4pm.
Preparation and training camp
Following a goalless draw against USM Alger of Algeria last Saturday, Yanga players were given a few days to rest before resuming off-camp training at the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) ground at Kurasini in the city.
However, the club's technical bench has decided to intensify preparations by setting up residential training camp today ahead of the crucial knockout encounter.
"Players will now set up official residential camp ahead of the match. The good news is that all the players are on great form, and those who were injured have fully recovered," said Rodgers Gumbo, a member of the team’s competition committee.
New signings ready for action
Gumbo confirmed that the club's new signings, Jonathan Ikangalombo from AS Vita of DR Congo and Israel Mwenda from Singida Black Stars, are ready for the upcoming clash. Ikangalombo, who can play both as an attacking midfielder and striker, is expected to bring additional firepower to the squad, while Mwenda is capable of playing in both left and right-back positions.
"The players are in excellent shape, including those who were previously nursing injuries. Maxi Nzengeli and Aziz Andambwile have now fully recovered and are likely to be part of the squad on Saturday," Gumbo added.
Title defence mission
As the defending champions, Yanga are determined to retain the CRDB Bank Federation Cup title and view the upcoming fixture as a crucial step in their journey.
With a fully fit squad and the addition of new talent, the team is optimistic about their chances of progressing to the next stage of the competition.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the clash, hoping to see their team bounce back from their CAF Champions League disappointment with a strong performance in the domestic tournament.
