- Yanga will host Gallants in the first leg in Dar es Salaam
- They are looking for a first ever qualification to the finals
- Asec Mimosas hosts USM Alger in the other semi-final
Yanga SC head coach Nasreddine Nabbi says he is wary of the threat posed by South African side Marumo Gallants when the two sides face off in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final in Dar es Salaam.
Gallants are fighting relegation back home in the PSL, but have had a dream run in their debut season in the Confederation Cup.
Nabbi, whose side has also been on a good roll in continental football expects a tough match.
“They are a very good team and we have watched their matches. It will not be easy but we are counting on our home support to push us through,” said Nabbi, looking forward to the game.
He added; “We have prepared well as a team and everyone is looking sharp. The players are determined but we should know this is only the first half. We have another 90 minutes to go and we should be cautious in our approach.”
His sentiments are shared by goalkeeper Metacha Mnata who says the team is prepared for a tough duel.
“We know they are a good team and their position in their local league is not something we are considering as a team. We will go in with full concentration and our hope is to make a good result in the first leg,” said Mnata.
Yanga seeking first ever qualification
Yanga are looking to qualify for the final of the confederation Cup for the first time ever in their history.
They come up against a familiar foe, Gallants being led by former Simba SC coach Dylan Kerr.
Kerr says the team is prepared to take on Yanga and is prepared for what awaits them in Dar es Salaam.
To get into the quarter finals, Yanga beat Nigeria’s Rivers United 2-0 on aggregate. They won 2-0 away from home and followed that result up with a 0-0 draw in Dar es Salaam.
Meanwhile, Gallants progressed after a tough earned win over former finalists Pyramids FC of Egypt. The first leg in Cairo ended in a 1-1 draw with Pyramids scoring a late equalizer while Gallants won the return fixture 1-0 to continue their dream run in the competition.
Feels good to be back in Tanzania
“It feels good to be back in Tanzania and I am looking forward to the tie. As a team we have trained well and prepared well and we are looking forward for a win,” said the tactician.
Meanwhile, in the late kick off, Algeria’s USM Alger will be away to Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast. The tie will be played in Abidjan and Asec will be keen to clinch a good result at home before heading to what is expected to be a tough return fixture in Algeria next week.
Alger broke through to the last four after beating Morocco’s AS Far in the quarters 4-3. Asec meanwhile beat Tunisia’s US Monastir 2-0 on aggregate in the other quarter final and are looking to continue their good run over North African opposition.
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