CAFCL: Silver Strikers coach Mwafulirwa warns of Yanga’s fight-back

Silver Strikers coach Etson Kadenge Mwafulirwa has called for caution despite their slender 1-0 victory over favourites Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga SC) in their CAF Champions League fixture in Malawi on Saturday.

The Bankers’ coach said this ahead going into the second leg of the second preliminary round against the Tanzania Mainland Premier League heavyweights. The Malawi champions won the first leg via Andrew Joseph’s second-half goal at Bingu National Stadium.

Yanga’s management did not take their result lightly they moved in swiftly to give the bullet to their youthful coach Romain Folz. Malawian assistant coach Patrick Mabedi, who only joined last week, has since been made the interim manager.

Reflecting on the first leg result, Mwafulirwa said he was happy to win at home but called for caution, saying there was a lot they needed to do to close the finish line.

“I am happy [but] I know the game is played in the first leg and second leg, so we can convert it to first half and second half,” the coach said.

“Yes, we have won; we are leading in the first half so we have the second half to play. We are playing against a good side. Yes, we are celebrating but we should not be overzealous. We are playing with a team which has good players. Tactically, they are good. They know what they are doing with the ball so we have a lot of work to do.”

Silver Strikers coach explains his biggest fear about Yanga

Mwafulirwa then explained why Yanga can bounce back and win the overall tie. The overall winner will proceed to the paying ranks of the group stages.

“Despite that we are leading 1-0, it doesn’t mean that we are going to defend in the second leg. The best defence is attacking but when we are doing that, we have to be cautious. We are not playing with a small team. Tactically they are good and if we cannot score, we should protect the goal that we have scored,” the Strikers’ coach added.

Yanga will host the second leg in Dar es Salaam this coming weekend. The overall winner will progress to the more lucrative group stage where participating teams receive money.