CAF Champions League: We must win against Yanga to boost qualification hopes – MC Alger coach Patrice Beaumelle

MC Alger coach Patrice Beaumelle has outlined his determination to secure a pivotal victory against Tanzania’s Young Africans (Yanga) in their CAF Champions League Group A clash.

The match, set for Saturday, 7 December, will take place at the historic Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, although it will be played behind closed doors.

During a pre-match press conference, the French coach highlighted the significance of the encounter for MC Alger’s campaign.

“Our objective in this game is to boost our chances of advancing to the next round, and achieving that requires nothing less than a win,” Beaumelle declared.

MC Alger heads into this fixture following a solid performance in their group-stage opener, securing a 0-0 draw away against TP Mazembe.

Beaumelle underscored the importance of leveraging home advantage, stating, “Playing on our home turf provides a valuable opportunity to build on the point we earned in Congo. We must deliver a convincing performance and claim all three points.”

However, the coach was quick to recognize the quality of their opponents, describing Young Africans as a team with significant experience and talent.

“Young Africans are seasoned competitors in the CAF Champions League and have consistently shown their quality. Their squad is filled with skilled and experienced players,” Beaumelle noted.

Despite Yanga’s 2-0 defeat to Al Hilal Omdurman in their opening match, Beaumelle cautioned against complacency.

“Their loss in the first game does not reflect their true capabilities. They performed well, and we must be at our very best to secure victory,” he warned.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 19:00 GMT, with MC Alger aiming to solidify their position in Group A. A win would significantly enhance their chances of progressing to the knockout stages of Africa’s premier club competition.