Tanzania Premier League champions Young Africans Media Officer Ally Kamwe has remained confident they will qualify for the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League at the expense of AS FAR of Morocco.
The Citizens will host the Algerian outfit in the final group game of the campaign at New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Friday, January 13. The group stage remains tight as far as the second position is concerned.
While Al Ahly, who the record African champions, are sitting top with nine points, AS FAR are second with eight points, and Yanga third with five points. A win for Yanga against Kabylie, who are sitting third with three points, will see them move to eight points.
However, AS FAR will be away against Al Ahly at Cairo International Stadium seeking a win to seal second spot. According to Kamwe, Young Africans have not given up on their quest to reach the Round of 16.
Yanga focus is simple: ‘We are going to qualify’
“We will qualify in emphatic fashion in Zanzibar. We are going there to show Africa what the Yanga magic looks like when the team is determined to achieve its objective,” Kamwe told reporter after Yanga landed from Algeria, where they lost 1-0 against AS FAR.
“Let others do the calculations, that is not our concern. Our focus is simple: We are going to qualify.”
Kamwe added: “What happened in Rabat is over. For us at Yanga, that is no longer the story. The big story now is how we qualify. That is where all our focus is.
“To all Yanga supporters around the world, let us prepare ourselves. The mindset is one; we are going to qualify for the quarterfinals. That is our mission.”
New signing Allan Okello echoed the same fighting spirit, insisting the race is far from over and that the team is ready to battle until the final whistle.
“We came with the aim of winning, but luck was not on our side. We created chances but failed to convert them. Now we return home, prepare well for Kabylie and fight for victory,” said the former Vipers SC player.
Yanga must beat Kabylie by at least three goals
“We are still in the competition and we will do everything possible to win because we never know what will happen next.”
Despite the setback in Rabat, the Jangwani Street outfit have remained upbeat, with confidence growing within the camp.
Yanga must beat Kabylie by at least three goals, while also hoping FAR Rabat fail to collect maximum points against Egypt’s Al Ahly in the group’s other crucial fixture.
Young Africans SC confident of CAF Champions League qualification despite setback
Tanzania Premier League champions Young Africans SC remain confident of qualifying for the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League despite facing a tough mathematical task in their final group fixture.
The Jangwani Street giants, popularly known as Yanga, will host JS Kabylie at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar in their decisive Group stage match. The fixture comes with everything to play for, as the battle for the second qualification slot remains wide open.
Currently, record African champions Al Ahly SC lead the group with nine points, while AS FAR sit second with eight points. Young Africans SC are third with five points, and JS Kabylie are bottom with three.
For Young Africans SC to qualify, they must secure a convincing victory while hoping other results go in their favour.
Young Africans SC focus on qualification, not calculations
Speaking after the team returned from Rabat, where they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to AS FAR, Young Africans SC Media Officer Ally Kamwe made it clear that belief within the camp remains unshaken.
“We will qualify in emphatic fashion in Zanzibar. We are going there to show Africa what the Yanga magic looks like when the team is determined to achieve its objective,” Kamwe stated.
He emphasized that the team is not dwelling on permutations but instead concentrating fully on delivering a performance worthy of qualification.
“Let others do the calculations, that is not our concern. Our focus is simple: We are going to qualify,” he added.
Kamwe further dismissed the Rabat loss as history, stressing that the team’s entire attention is now directed toward securing progression.
“What happened in Rabat is over. For us at Yanga, that is no longer the story. The big story now is how we qualify. That is where all our focus is.”
What Young Africans SC need to qualify
The qualification scenario for Young Africans SC is clear but challenging. They must defeat JS Kabylie by at least three goals to stand a realistic chance of advancing.
At the same time, they will be hoping AS FAR fail to collect maximum points in their away clash against Al Ahly at the Cairo International Stadium. Should AS FAR win, Yanga’s hopes would likely be extinguished regardless of their own result.
This makes the final matchday one of the most dramatic in the club’s recent continental history.
