- Yanga were beaten 3-0 by CR Belouizdad
- They are playing the CAF CL group phase for the first time in 25 years
- Simba host Ivorians Asec in Dar
Tanzanian giants Yanga SC were off to a poor footing in the CAF Champions League group stages after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Algerian champions CR Belouizdad in Algiers.
Goals from Abdelraouf Benguit, Abderrahmane Meziane and Gambian forward Lamin Jallow gave the home side victory and a positive start in Group D.
CRB got into the lead after just 10 minutes, when he controlled the ball inside the box and beat the keeper from close range after the Yanga defense struggled to clear a cross from the right.
It was a tightly contested affair, with Yanga also working to assert themselves, but they were further put back in the second minute of added time when Meziane doubled the lead, with a simple tap in from inside the box.
Yanga were caught on the counter when they lost the ball in the other box. Oussama Darfalou was sent through on the left, before storming away with pace and cutting back a cross which Meziane finished home.
In the second half, Yanga once again came back strong, but struggled to knit vital balls in the final third to find the back of the net. Once again, they were stabbed in added time when the Gambian finished off with a low shot inside the box off a Meziane lay off.
Yanga now have their work cut out, but heading back home with a duel against record champions Al Ahly, they must put in the work to avoid back to back defeats.
Simba SC hire Benchikha as new coach
Simba welcome their new coach
Meanwhile, arch rivals Simba SC have named Abdelhak Benchikha as the club’s new head coach, following the departure of Robert Oliveira. The Brazilian was sacked by the club, just after their massive 5-0 defeat at the hands of Yanga.
And now, they have taken up the coach who denied Yanga a chance for a continental title, when he led USM Alger to the CAF Confederation Cup triumph last season with victory against the Young Africans.
Algerian Benchikha has his work cut out with Simba as he fins them confidence down following their defeat to rivals Yanga in the league.
He hopes he can steer them back up to safety as they aim to clinch the league title this year, and a minimum target of getting to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
The tactician is expected to arrive in Tanzania in the coming week, but they will work with stand-in coach Dani Cadena when they start their CAF Champions League campaign at home against Asec Mimosas of Algeria.
stand in coach Dani Cadena says they have worked to change the mentality of the players as well as few tactical adjustments as they look to start their CAF Champions League campaign positively. Simba have had a tough patch, but are keen to put that behind their back when they take on Asec at home.
Cadena confident of victory
Simba SC during a training session. PHOTO/Simba
Cadena says he is confident the players are in the right frame of mind to battle for a win. Simba were thrashed 5-0 by arch rivals Yanga, a result that has had a damaging effect, including the firing of former coach Roberto Oliveira.
They were then held to a draw by Namungo and had to rely on a late equalizer.
“Before the Namungo much, we had little time in training and we didn’t want to change a lot of things. Now we have had more time and we have worked especially on the mentality of the players and a few tactical adjustments. The players are ready and are focused,” said the coach.
“He added; “Normally when you don’t win, no one is happy. But, we are on transition and have tried to do a few things differently so I am confident we will be in a good space.”
Cadena will hold forte for this match, before new coach Benchikha takes charge next week.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login