TZW
Young Africans will take on Botswana’s Township Rollers in CAF Champions League first round, return leg at the National Stadium in Gaborone this evening, while Simba will be away in Port Said, Egypt, facing Al Masry in CAF Confederation Cup, first round, return leg tie.
The Jangwani Street lads are looking to turn the 2-1 they suffered at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam mid last week. Yanga arrived in Gaborone on Tuesday and have been busy at work, hoping to overturn the deficit.
They need to score two clear goals to go through to the group stage. Head Coach, George Lwandamina said they will take the game to Township Rollers, seeking an early goal that will keep them in race for qualification into the group stage of the continental top tier clubs championship. “We will try to keep possession to deny the hosts a chance to attack and score more goals,” Lwandamina said, adding that they are targeting an early away goal to minimise the pressure.
The Zambian tactician squad comprising 20 players arrived in Gaborone on Tuesday evening in a positive frame of mind ahead of the clash. “We are planning our own game, in football you always have plans … we are now talking about the second half of the game; I don’t call this second leg, it’s like half time, we are playing the second 45 minutes of the game,” he said. “Rollers are a good side that plays an organised football.
I know Botswana football; my brother played here, the team I saw in the first leg was very organised. But we are planning our own game, we are now talking about the second half of the game; I don’t call this second leg, it’s like half time, we are playing the second 45 minutes of the game,” he disclosed. Township Rollers Head Coach, Nikola Kavazovic underlined the importance of the match in the history of Botswana club football, saying through Popa as Rollers are popularly known, the Botswana teams could soon start rubbing shoulders with the continental elite.
“I am very proud of my players,” Kavazovic said. “Whatever happens on Saturday (today), we have already done a lot, more than what was expected, more than what was achieved in the previous seasons. “The second goal in the first leg against Yanga showed our model of play, our trademark.
That goal was not just good by African standards…even by international, world standards it was good, 21 completed passes, one minute 40 seconds without Yanga having the ball and we scored,” Kavazovic said. “We are now definitely among the 20 best teams in Africa, we have defeated a top side in Al-Merreikh and in the first round we showed confidence in our game in Tanzania.
I believe we deserve a place in the group stage and we will work for it. Yanga are African giants and we are still a developing team, but I believe we are now favourites to go through,” Kavazovic added. At Port Said, Simba will be required to win or post a draw of at least 3-3 to progress into the next stage of the continental second tier clubs championships.
This follows an eventful first leg that saw both sides settle for a 2-2 draw in a game that witnessed three penalties amid unfavourable weather condition at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday last week. Going into the game, Simba Head coach Pierre Lechantre believes that twin strikers Emmanuel Okwi and skipper John Bocco will be key for them to win today. Al Masry Coach, iconic Hossam Hassan has lauded his side’s performance in the first leg, but expects an even more difficult mission in Port Said. “We had a good game away from home, and could have easily won.
I’m satisfied with my players’ performance, but there is still more to play for. Our home game will be a tough one,” said the former Ahly and Zamalek forward. “Simba is a great team with huge continental experience. They showed what they are capable of doing in the first leg. We have to remain focused and get a win that will see us through,” he added.