The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Young Africans (Yanga) striker Clement Mzize as the Player of the Week for the latest round of CAF Champions League matches.
The Jangwani Street giants, now sitting second in the domestic league, will lock horns with TP Mazembe at Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in a crucial CAF Champions League Group A match
Tanzania's football giants, Young Africans (Yanga), will be without the services of four key players in their crucial CAF Champions’ League group match against TP Mazembe.
Yanga are currently at the bottom of Group A with one point, while TP Mazembe occupy third place with two points.
Yanga's technical bench and fans have a reason to smile, following a report that the team’s three key players—Clatous Chama, Maxi Nzengeli, and first-choice goalkeeper Djigui Diarra—will be fit.
The victory saw Yanga collect 39 points from 15 matches, applying pressure on league leaders Simba, who have 40 points.
Ivorian attacking midfielder Pacome Zouzoua stole the spotlight with a stunning brace
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's envoys in the CAF Champions League, Young Africans (Yanga), have arrived safely in Lubumbashi, DR Congo, without their striker, Jean Baleke.Baleke, who joined Yanga this season, had been recruited on loan by Al-Ittihad of Libya from TP Mazembe before signing with Yanga.Yanga head coach Sead Ramovic has opted to travel with three strikers: Kennedy Musonda, Prince Dube, and Clement Mzize, who missed the previous two matches due to injuries.No specific reasons were given for Baleke’s absence. Yanga’s Competition Chairman, Rogers Gumbo, refrained from commenting on the matter, stating that it falls under the club’s management.“What I can tell you is that all players in top form have arrived safely in Lubumbashi. The players are in high spirits and understand how crucial this match is for the team,” said Gumbo on the phone.With only two matches played so far, Yanga sit at the bottom of Group A without any points after consecutive losses, while TP Mazembe are third with one point.Group leaders Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan have six points, followed by MC Alger of Algeria with four. The match will be officiated by Djindo Louis Houngnandande, marking his second assignment in the CAF Champions League.His first match, held on November 26, saw Egypt’s Pyramids FC defeat Angola’s Grupo Desportivo Sagrada Esperança 5-1 in Cairo. During that game, Houngnandande issued three yellow cards.Houngnandande has also officiated three Africa Cup of Nations matches, issuing a total of 14 yellow cards, bringing his tally in major competitions to 17 yellow cards.Yanga's upcoming match against TP Mazembe is a significant test for both teams, as they are desperate for points to stay in contention for qualification.Victory for Yanga will not only improve their position in the group but also will serve as a morale booster for players and fans as they navigate the competition's challenges. The Jangwani-based team’s performance this Saturday is crucial in determining their path forward in this prestigious tournament.
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans SC striker Kennedy Musonda says that while the club’s dominance in Tanzania is appreciated by its ever-growing fanbase, the team is now more determined than ever to achieve continental success.The Tanzanian champions suffered a shock 2-0 loss at home against Sudanese side Al Hilal last week—a result they will need to quickly overcome in today’s match against Algerian side MC Alger.The Zambian striker shared his thoughts on the team’s continental ambitions and what it will take to go beyond last season’s quarterfinal finish.Musonda attributes his exceptional performance since joining the club to hard work and the team spirit at Young Africans.“I’ve had the right players around me and a family that believes in me,” he said. “Having a positive environment, along with hardworking teammates and coaches, really helps and improves you as a player.”Reflecting on the team’s domestic league position—third in the standings behind Azam and Simba—Musonda remains unfazed. “I think it’s a marathon and not a sprint.It’s too early to write us off,” he noted. “In football, there are ups and downs, but the most important thing is how you finish. We’ll work hard to reclaim our spot.”Addressing the team’s disappointing start in the CAF Champions League, Musonda believes the team knows how to recover. “For the past two to three seasons, we’ve lost the opening group game twice in a row. I’m not saying we’re used to it, but we know how to respond, and that’s what we need to do this weekend,” he said. “The result was disappointing, but we have to move past it and focus on the big task ahead.”Ahead of the crucial away clash against MC Alger, Musonda emphasized the importance of a strong mentality.“The most important thing is to focus on the next game and not dwell on the previous result,” he said. “We need to give 100 percent and make sure we step up. It’s an away game against a strong opponent, but at this level, you have to stay focused and committed no matter where you’re playing.”With all teams in the group capable of advancing, Musonda underscored the significance of mental toughness in the remaining matches. “Mental toughness is number one. If you’re mentally prepared, your body reacts accordingly. When the entire team is mentally on the same level, it gives us an added competitive edge,” he explained.Looking at the team’s progress in recent years, Musonda is optimistic about their chances of becoming African champions.“We’re definitely a team to watch. We reached the CAF Confederation Cup final and made it to the Champions League quarterfinals. The key is to build on that progress,” he said. “I believe we have a chance to win the Champions League in the future.”On a personal level, Musonda has his sights set on winning the CAF Champions League this season. “Yanga target win as well as trophies. We’ve won everything domestically, but what remains is achieving victory in Africa. That is now our biggest ambition,” he concluded.
