Nasreddine Nabi insists Yanga vs Rivers Utd tie not over

25Apr 2023
Michael Mwebe
Dar es Salaam
Sport
The Guardian
Nasreddine Nabi insists Yanga vs Rivers Utd tie not over

TANZANIA's Yanga head coach Nasreddine Nabi believes their CAF Confederation Cup's quarterfinal tie against Nigeria’s Rivers United 'is not finished', despite coming out as 2-0 winners in the first leg played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Sunday.

Yanga's head coach Nasreddine Nabi. PHOTO: COURTESY OF YANGA

A second-half brace from Fiston Mayele earned Yanga the massive victory and the squad will now have all the advantage heading into next weekend’s home tie in Dar es Salaam, where the side will be staring at a first-ever continental semi-final appearance.

Mayele broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute when he was picked out by a brilliant through ball from captain Bakari Mwamnyeto.

The pair combined again for the second goal nine minutes from stoppage time, this time Mwamnyeto cutting back to Mayele after a counter-attack initiated by winger Jesus Moloko.

The results leave Yanga in a commanding position heading into the second leg but, despite that, Nabi said they must remain 'completely alert' to the threat posed by Rivers United's big-hearted Nigerian players.

Speaking after the match, Nabi said his side had to battle deep to gain the win and believes everything is still at stake in the second leg.

The tactician noted: “I am delighted to win because it is not easy to come to Nigeria and win. We played well and took our chances but the game is far from over, we still have the second leg and we need to do even better to ensure we qualify.”

“We scouted Rivers United, Nigeria is a big football nation, it is very difficult to win here. It is a very good result. I have confidence in my players but didn’t know we could win 2-0 here, that’s the reality,” the gaffer revealed.

Nabi noted: “I pushed my players to score away from Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, we didn’t come here for revenge but to qualify. We lost here two years ago because Yanga wasn’t ready but still, there is no revenge in football. You either have a victory or a loss, not revenge.”

“Yanga came here ready to sacrifice and qualify. That was our only focus but we have big respect for Rivers United players. And the tie is not finished, we are in Africa! We quickly become happy and quickly go down,” the gaffer added.

Nabi disclosed: “It is not finished, we have seven days. I know Nigerian players, they have big hearts. This is what I told my players in the first meeting, the tie is not over.”

Yanga will book a historic place in the last four if they avoid defeat in the second-leg clash at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

The winner of the tie will face the aggregate winner of another quarterfinal tie between South Africa’s Marumo Gallants and Egypt’s Pyramids FC in the semi-finals.

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