Young Africans will not fear ‘difficult’ Azam FC – Goncalves

Young Africans coach Pedro Goncalves as labelled Azam FC ‘a difficult opponent’ as the two sides prepare to face off in a Mainland Premier League ‘Dar Derby’ fixture at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday.

The Citizens will go into the fixture sitting top of the league table while Ice Cream Makers from Chamazi are lying third. Both sides will head into the game having won their respective las assignments.

 

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Yanga defeated Tanzania Prisons 1-0 while thrashed Dodoma Jiji 3-0.

Azam is traditional club in Tanzania

“About the match, we are going to face Azam, one of the teams stronger in the league, a team that made a good performance at the African competition, so, we are ready to play against them,” Goncalves told Pan-Africa Football.

“Azam is a traditional club in Tanzania, they are more solid during the season, so, we are going to face one of the strongest opponents. For me I am happy we are playing at Benjamin Mkapa, a good ground where we can play good football.

“We are preparing only two between the last match, and tomorrow match, yesterday I was very tough for us because of long travels, but we have already had recovery session in the evening, today we are focusing for the much.”

He added: “My players are doing very well, since I entered in Tanzania. I have only had only one draw. In short, I have a good team that can face any team without worry.

“When I say Azam is better, it does not mean that we are going with fear, we are confident we have the best team, we are Yanga. We respect them and we will play with dedication and great discipline.”

Young Africans know what is at stake

Speaking on behalf of the players, Young Africans defender Mohamed Hussein, echoed coach Goncalves’s sentiments that they will face a difficult opponent.

“We have done our best in training as players, we still have one session to go before the game, we know we are coming up a difficult opponent, but we have done everything to win the game,”

“The first thing we have agreed as a team, is not to concede, we don’t want to concede, we want to keep a clean sheet. We know the strongest side of Azam, and we will do our best to cut them off.

“We don’t want to underrate them. We have seen their performances so far especially in the CAF Confederation despite their journey coming to and end. We will be alert and try to attack, but we don’t want to concede because we know what is at stake.”

Young Africans have amassed 35 points from 13 matches while Azam have collected 27 points from the same number of matches.