Romain Folz says Young Africans ready to deliver best performance possible in season opener

Tanzania Premier League champions Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Romain Folz has vowed to produce a statement performance when they kick off their title defence with a fixture against Pamba Jiji at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday.

The Timu ya Mwananchi will be going for a record fourth consecutive Premier League crown this season, having won it for the third time last time out. They won it on the last day of the season after beating rivals Simba SC 2-1.

“It is the third official game, we had two games before that already, so we are ready to play and compete again. We played in the Community Shield, and our first CAF game, and yes it is our first league game, and we are looking forward to delivering the best performance possible, as we always do,” Folz told Pan-Africa Football.

“We have prepared for the last weeks to be ready mentally, tactically, and we had a solid pre-reason to get ready for the season ahead, so we are looking forward to the opening game, and equally looking forward to the many games coming ahead.

“It is a very important game, just like any game it is very important, in the league every game is three points, so the games have the same level of importance, if you look at them from that point of view, so obviously we must win our game to set the tone for the rest of the season. ”

Yanga big team, must compete for title

He added: “The league is a long journey, there are a lot of games to be played, but we want to do as good if not as better than last season, because our main aim is always to do better, the objective is always to do better than we did previously, so, in every game, you always look to do better, week after week.

“We know it is a big challenge, and we are ready for that.”

He concluded: “Yanga is a big team, and as always our target is to retain the league title. We have a good quality squad, with everyone in each department, and every player in the squad is very important to my set up.”

Last season, Yanga won the title with 82 points, while Simba, who will start their campaign against Singida Big Stars on Thursday, came second with 78 points.

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