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By Abiodun Adewale.
Young Africans of Tanzania coach, Nasreddine Nabi, has expressed his surprise with his side’s 2-0 win over Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Rivers United, in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final game in Uyo on Sunday, The PUNCH reports.
The Tanzanians stunned their hosts with two well-taken goals in the second half by Congolese striker, Fiston Mayele, who beat the offside trap to slot home the first goal in the 74th minute before finishing off a quick counter attack a few minutes later to cushion their advantage.
The goals marked a milestone achievement for the striker who has now scored 50 goals for the club.
Yanga limited their hosts to few half chances for the most part of the game, and despite their well-executed plan, Nasreddine insists the result was shocking.
“We came to Nigeria to get everything knowing the calibre of our opponents. It’s quite surprising for me however because we know it is difficult to win in Nigeria. I had confidence in my players for a good result, but I wasn’t expecting a score like 2-0,” the coach said after the game.
He however stressed that they were not haunted by the past results of matches against their hosts, maintaining that there is still all to play for in the second leg.
“As I said before the game, we didn’t come for revenge, we came to qualify for the next round. In 2021, we weren’t ready but now we are more serious about what we want to achieve and we are focused on that. However, the game is not finished and I know Nigerian players have the attitude.”
The result leaves Rivers United with a mountain to climb in the second leg, and they must first turn their attention to the domestic scene where a crunchy Federation Cup round 64 encounter against Enyimba awaits them on Wednesday before they travel for the return leg which will be played in Dar es Salam next Sunday.