Yanga seek to make East African history in CAF Confed Cup

• Yanga are playing their first ever Continental final
• They are the second team after Tanzania to do so
• No East African team has won any Continental title in the new era

Tanzanian side Yanga are looking to make history, becoming the first East African side to win a Continental title in the new era of CAF Continental matches.

Yanga are playing in the final of the CAF Confederation Cup, with the first leg set for the 60,000-capacity Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in the capital Dar es Salaam whioch has already been sold out.

This is the first time ever that the Tanzanians are playing in a Continental final.

Playing at home, they will be keen to get a good result that will propel them into the door of history, to win the title for the first time ever.

They will be looking towards the home support to ensure they get a good result in Dar es Salaam.

“We want to make the best of our home advantage and win the game here. We are glad that the fans have bought tickets in their numbers and their encouragement from the stands will push us to success,” said coach Nasreddine Nabbi.

Fans should remain calm 

His sentiments are shared by assistant captain Dickson Job, who has asked the fans to remain calm as they are in a good position to do the job.

“Our fans and the Tanzanian people should not be worried. They should come to the stadium on Sunday in their numbers and cheer us on. As players, we are prepared and ready to fight for them, and give them joy at the end of the match,” the defender stated.

Coach Nabbi says the team has prepared well for the match and are ready, the weight of history pushing them forward.

“We divided our preparation in three parts; the first one is the physical readiness of the players, the second one is studying the opponent and knowing their strengths and weaknesses and the third is to create a good game plan to win this match. We have done that well and we are ready,” the coach noted.

He will miss the services of midfielder Khalid Aucho, who is suspended for the game, but the tactician says they have enough cover to ensure his absence will not be hugely felt. The Ugandan international has been a key figure for Yanga in their run up to the final, and his absence will be a blow for the team’s tactics.

Fiston Mayele looking to inspire his team

While they will miss Aucho, one player they are looking on to deliver the goods against Alger is their Congolese forward Fiston Mayele. He has been involved in nine goals in 10 matches, scoring six and assisting three.

“We are lucky to have Fiston in the team. He is one of the best strikers in the continent at the moment. His experience and that of other players will really help us in the match,” said the tactician.

He admits he will expect a difficult duel against Alger, noting they have shown their qualities as a team and will not be a walk in the park.

Assistant skipper Job shares the same sentiments. “We know it will be difficult. But the coaches have given us their plan and what they expect to be done in the pitch. What remains now is for us as players to get into the pitch and fight to get a good result,” he says.