Tanzania: Yanga Battle Bunamwaya in Must-Win Group B Tie

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

2 July 2011

Dar es Salaam — A lot will be at stake this evening when Young Africans and Bunamwaya go head to head in a Kagame Castle Cup clash that will surely decide who the real bosses of Group B are.

The two teams tie on four points, but the Ugandan giants top the group owing to a superior goal difference. They have 4+, two above the Jangwani Street boys.

The anticipated nerve-shredding match will kick off at 4pm at the National Stadium preceded by the El Merreikh-Elman game.Should Yanga and Bunamwaya draw today, El Merreikk, placed third with two points, have a chance of beating the former to the quarterfinal stage if they see off lowly Elman.

Star-studded Yanga, struggling to find the back of the net, will be subjected to an acid test for the two sides have never met before.And Yanga head coach Sam Timbe admitted facing a tall order in mustering the points at stake, but was confident that his boys would have the last laugh.

“One thing I know is that Bunamwaya are tough, but my players are in high spirits and hopefully we’ll be better at our execution,” the Ugandan tactician said.

Timbe also admitted that his striking force has not been clinical enough despite dispatching Elman 2-0 on Thursday.

“My strikers have not been sharp enough in front of the goal because we had a host of clear-cut chances against Elman, but they converted two only.He added: “I have addressed the problem and it’s my belief that they will be devilishly precise against Bunamwaya,” Timbe said.

If Yanga lose or draw, they will have to wait desperately for the best loser opportunity to sail through to the quarterfinals.Bunamwaya head coach Edward Goloola also expressed his respect for Yanga, admitting that the match would be tough.

“Yanga are among the acclaimed teams in the region, we respect them, but we’ll be all out for a victory.

“We can’t give in Yanga, we intend to give it a good fight,”I always say, football is a game. It’s never won or lost until it’s played.

“We respect Yanga, but I still believe in the game of football anything can happen.”They are a good side but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beaten.” Goloola said.

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