Yanga seek to keep campaign alive

Placed bottom-of-the-table on one point, Yanga have a mathematical chance of snatching the second semi-final ticket and must avenge a 1-0 away defeat by Bejaia to stay in contention.

Yanga’s campaign to sail into Cup’s semis was dealt a blow in Ghana, following a 3-1 defeat to Ghanaian side Medeama about three weeks ago. It was the third defeat for reigning Mainland Premier League champions who lost their opening two fixtures 1-0 away to MO Béjaïa and at home to five-time champions Mazembe.

 The country’s envoys in the continental football have remained with two matches - against MO Bejaia and TP Mazembe, both looking too tough to win. TP Mazembe remained at the top. The winners of nine African titles, including five successes in the premier CAF Champions League competition, TP Mazembe have ten points after four rounds. African debutants Bejaia have five points, Medeama of Ghana five and Yanga one with two match days remaining and two semi-finals spots up for grabs.

While, Yanga will be facing MO Bejaia, Group A leaders, Medeama will face group leaders TP Mazembe from Congo DR in the port city Sekondi. Heading into today’s encounter, Yanga Head Coach Hans Van der Pluijm has said they have not lost hope, saying his charges will fight to the bitter end to come back into the picture.

 The Dutch tactician has predicted a tough encounter, saying MO Bejaia are a tough side to face but insisted that they will go out in search for victory. However, they will be without key striker, Zimbabwean Donald Ngoma, who has two yellow cards.

Yanga trained at the National Stadium on Thursday, while the visitors were due to train there yesterday evening. Ethiopian, Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, will be in charge of the match. He will be assisted by Kindie Mussie and Temesgin Samuel Atango.

The fourth official is Haileyesus Bezezew Belete, while the match commissioner will be Gaspard Kayijuka from Rwanda. CAF has also picked Isam Shaaban from Sudan as General Coordinator, of the match. Meanwhile, Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Force has said security will be beefed up before, during and after the Yanga versus MO Bejaia match, reports Maureen Odunga.

The force also issued warning to all those planning to cause chaos in today’s match, noting that stringent measures will be taken against anyone who will be caught. Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Special Zone (DCP), Hezron Gyimbi, said the police along with other security organs have prepared themselves well to maintain peace and security at the stadium.

 “We are going to make sure that the match takes place under a peaceful atmosphere, while ensuring that security both off and on the field is tightened to prevent any chaos from occurring,” said Commissioner Gyimbi.

He told fans not to scare off and turn asked them to grant the police force maximum cooperation by reporting any suspicious movements. “Along with maintaining peace and order, people are urged to not get in the venue with weapons,” he stressed.

 In another development, Medeama of Ghana fear the effects of fixture fatigue before hosting TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tomorrow in the CAF Confederation Cup.

 Coach Prince Owusu admits that a heavy international and domestic fixture load has affected his squad and forced him to rotate his line-up, often to the annoyance of supporters.