Yanga confident of silencing troubled Marumo Gallants to secure historic final slot

Tanzania champions Yanga SC are unfazed by what is expected to be a hostile crowd as they take on South Africa’s Marumo Gallants in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final second leg, carrying a 2-0 advantage.

Yanga need to avoid defeat, or lose 1-0, to write further chapters in their illustrious history by becoming the first team from the country to make it to a continental cup final but face a daunting task at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday evening.

Gallants, who reached the semi-final by stunning Egyptian side Pyramids FC, announced free entry into the stadium to ensure they have as many fans as possible as they seek to overturn the two-goal deficit and continue their fairytale run but Yanga coach Nasreddine Nabi says such atmospheres are what brings out the best from his team.

“It is good that Marumo Gallants have ensured free entry. We as Yanga prefer to play in front of many fans instead of empty stadiums. I have players with enough experience to play matches of this magnitude,” said Nabi during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“We are not looking at the 2-0 win we had at home. This a totally different game and we have a new gameplan, different from the one we executed in Dar es Salaam,” he added.

Aziz Ki’s 64th minute goal and Bernard Morrison’s stoppage-time strike saw Yanga get one foot in the final and go into the match confident, having secured the league title last weekend.

Nabi’s side will be counting on their good away record, which has seen them concede four goals in seven matches on the road, in continental competitions this season.

They will also be encouraged by the turmoil currently being experienced within the Gallants camp after players refused to train over alleged financial disagreements with the club on the eve of the match.

Gallants are also fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier Soccer League where they are second from bottom on 29 points and will need to win their final game of the season against Swallows FC to escape the axe.