Young Africans (Yanga) will take to the field today for a must-win encounter against TP Mazembe in their third group-stage match of the CAF Champions League.
The game will be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Yanga determined to keep their tournament hopes alive.
The Tanzanian champions find themselves in a tough spot, having lost their opening two matches and sitting at the bottom of their group with zero points.
In their first match, Yanga suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sudan’s Al Hilal at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. In their second outing, they fell by the same scoreline to Algeria’s MC Alger in an away game.
These results have put Yanga in a precarious position, making today’s match critical for their competitive survival.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Gerson Msigwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, reiterated the government’s unwavering support for the team.
“We wish the team all the best. We are confident they have what it takes to deliver positive results, progress to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and even the final,” Msigwa said.
He further urged the players to fight with determination, reminding them that the funds raised through the "Mama’s Goal" initiative are still available to support their campaign.
Yanga faces a challenging task against the formidable Mazembe side, but the team remains hopeful of turning their fortunes around and securing their first points in the group stage.