Head coach of Young African Pedro Goncalves is brimming with confidence ahead of their CAF Champions League clash against Al Ahly.
The Tanzanian powerhouse are second in the group with 4 points, trailing only Al Ahly on goal difference, making the upcoming fixture crucial for both teams.
Young Africans achieved a 1-0 victory over the Moroccan Royal Army in the opening round, before drawing 0-0 with the Algerian JS Kabylie in the second round.
Gonçalves, 49, has been in charge of Young Africans since last November, and has not suffered a single defeat in 7 matches across all competitions, winning 6 times and drawing once.
“We expect a match between two teams determined to win. We understand the magnitude of the challenge and the importance of this game, but we believe that by sticking together, uniting, and giving our best, we will have what it takes to fight for victory”
“We’ve already faced some very tough tests in the CAF Champions League, and we’ve shown a very positive mindset throughout. But obviously, playing against Al Ahly in Egypt, in a match that will decide the top spot in the group, is a special occasion. We’re not approaching this challenge with added pressure, but rather with even greater motivation and a strong sense of responsibility to give our all on the pitch”
Quizzed about his outfit approach for the match, Goncalves stressed it would be a mistake to only play an attacking football in their quest to win the match.
“It would be a mistake to think only about attack. We have a clear and defined identity, and we won’t abandon it; that’s what we’ll take onto the pitch. At the same time, we understand that we need to be a cohesive, cooperative, balanced team, capable of competing from the very first second”
The Tanzanian giants travels to Egypt to face Al Ahly at the Borg El Arab stadium in a highly competitive CAF Champions League on Friday, January 22, 2026.
It promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams will be yearning for maximum points to better their chances of making it out of the group stages.
