CAFCL: AS FAR coach Alexandre Santos wary of Young Africans

Moroccan giants AS FAR head coach Alexandre Santos has admitted his side will face a tough test when face Young Africans of Tanzania in the opening match of the CAF Champions League.

The fixture will be played at New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar with Yanga hosting their visitors. The clash will mark the beginning of Group B — regarded as one of the most competitive in this season’s tournament — featuring defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt, JS Kabylie of Algeria, AS FAR, and Young Africans.

Speaking ahead of the matchday one, Santos admitted they will have to be at their best to beat Young Africasns, a side he described as difficult to break down under Portuguese coach Pedro Gonçalves.

AS FAR mission remains to reach quarterfinals

“Playing against Young Africans is not an ordinary task. They are champions of Tanzania for a reason and play with energy, rhythm, and identity under their coach Pedro Gonçalves. We must respect that while staying true to our philosophy,” said Santos as quoted by the Guardian.

“Our ambition remains the same: to qualify for the quarterfinals. Every team in this group has pedigree, but we also have history and hunger. We respect Yanga, but we will be there to compete, not to admire.

“We know Young Africans like to control the tempo, especially at home. They press intelligently and their wing play is dynamic. We must match their intensity and find ways to exploit the spaces they leave when pushing forward.”

He added: “The Champions League is not about one game; it’s about managing six tough battles. Every minute counts, and attention to detail will determine who advances. We are approaching this stage as a mini-tournament within itself.”

Speaking on behalf of the players, AS FAR goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti said: “We are in a group with very experienced teams like Al Ahly, Yanga, and JS Kabylie. But we are also champions and have prepared to face every challenge. We’ll take it match by match, starting in Tanzania.”

He added: “Their fans create an incredible environment – that’s the beauty of African football. We need to stay calm, manage the pressure, and execute our plan with precision.”

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals in March 2026, where the eventual champions will walk away with USD 4 million in prize money.

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