CAFCL: Romain Folz warns Young Africans against underrating Wiliete S.C.

Young Africans coach Romain Folz has sounded a warning to his players to focus on their CAF Champions League return leg fixture against Wiliete S.C. at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.

The Tanzania Premier League champions kicked off their first leg of this preliminary round with a 3-1 victory at Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda. A draw of any kind will secure Yanga a place in the second round.

“Like any other game, whether we play in the league, Champions League or any other Cup, we use the same level of focus, and dedication towards the opponent that we play, home or away,” Folz told Pan-Africa Football.

‘I know it will be a good game’

“The preparations have been going on well, but we have to accept we need to deal with the fact that we are playing games very quickly after one another, but it is the reality of the season, and we are ready for that, and will do our best to give our fans victory.”

Looking at Yanga’s advantage heading into the return leg, Folz explained; “I said after the game, the result was okay, it was a solid performance away against a very difficult team, and I think sometimes we tend to meanimise the quality of the opponent, they are a very good opponent, they have a good team, very good players, so it was not easy for us to go there and get what we got.

Folz discusses whether he will rotate squad

“When it comes to the return leg, the only question that I have asked my players is, can you do better than previously? So that is how we are taking the game, but we are ready for it.

“I have a very nice squad, which is needed because of the very many games and competitions that we are taking part in, we need our squad, and every player to keep his quality, because every player is very important.”

Asked whether he will rotate his squad for the clash, he replied, “I can’t tell you, yes or no, because we have to wait and see what I can do, but what I know (rotation), will have to happen as the season progresses.

“The first game is gone, let us focus on the second game like it was a normal game. We have to play at 0-0 and see what we can do. We respect the opponent, and I think they know our quality, and I know it will be a good game.”