Africa-Press – Tanzania. YOUNG Africans will face Zambia giants Zanaco in an international friendly duel to mark the climax of ‘Wiki ya Mwananchi’ event at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
It will probably be their last squad testing encounter before they take on Nigeria based Rivers FC in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League to be played at the same venue between September 10th to 12th.
As such; Coach Nasreddine Nabi will be eyes open to see how his charges will perform in the friendly match knowing in advance that they hardly play a testing game during their recently held preseason camp in Morocco.
However, it is evident that some Yanga players who have been called by their national teams will miss the match something which will deprive Nabi a chance to easily weigh his team before the Champions League mission.
This time around, preliminary games of Champions League and confederation cup will be held before the start of the Mainland Premier League which is scheduled to kick-off on September 29th.
Other country’s envoys in the champions league Simba will launch their fixtures in the first round of the CAF Champions League meaning that they will just play one two-legged match before reaching in the group stages.
On the other hand, CAF Confederation Cup representatives Azam will face Somalia’s based outfits Horseed SC at Azam Complex between September 10th to 12th while the reverse leg will be staged in Somalia between September 17th to 19th .
The overall winner in both legs will face Egypt’s giant Pyramid with the first leg scheduled either on October 15th to 17th while second clashes set between October 22nd to 24th.
Also, Biashara United will kickstart their qualifying mission away by facing FC Dikhil from Djibouti between September 10th to 12th while the reverse leg will be played in Dar es Salaam either on September 17th or 19th.
The Mara-based side, despite being silence in the unfolding transfer window, remain confident that they will do a remarkable job to put smiles on Tanzanians by simply reaching further in the contest.
However, Yanga’s Information Officer Hassan Bumbuli, in a past interview, admitted that they will not underestimate their opponents as such, they will thoroughly prepare to face them.
“To be honest, we hardly know much about them (Rivers FC) and we have just began following them after the draw was declared. As such, for them (Rivers) to qualify to play in the champions league, it means they are a good side too.
“For us, we need to make sure that we use well our home ground advantage and we already have a reputation of doing well in away territories hence we are not worrying about that,” said Bumbuli.
He added that Rivers FC are new on the football map as the club was established in 2016 but insisted that they are likely having a good investment which make them a side not to write off easily.
