Sead Ramovic: Yanga must translate domestic form to Champions League

01/01/2025 08:00 AM

Young Africans coach Sead Ramovic has urged his team to translate their domestic form to the CAF Champions League ahead of a key continental match this coming weekend.

Yanga closed off their Tanzanian Premier League duties for 2024 with a thumping 5-0 win over Singida Big Stars on Sunday 29 December, leaving them just a point behind leaders and arch rivals Simba SC.

While their domestic performances have been laudable, Yanga have struggled on the continental stage, where they find themselves bottom of Group A in the Champions League after failing to win any of their opening three matches.

Young Africans will host TP Mazembe on Saturday in Dar es Salaam – a must-win match if they are to have any hope of advancing into the quarterfinals.

"We are working hard to translate our form into the CAF Champions League. It's a learning curve, but we are determined to improve," said Ramovic, as quoted by The Guardian.

Yanga have been in the midst of a brutal schedule which saw them play four games in the space of just ten days, but Ramovic hailed his side's resilience and grit.

"Imagine playing four games in ten days with this kind of high intensity. What a team effort, what characters we have in our squad it's just unbelievable," said the German.

"I'm proud to be the head coach of this beautiful team and these players because they show real commitment to this club."

Ramovic also credited the club's supporters, who will be needed again when they host the Ravens on Saturday: "These kinds of supporters, they pushed us. A big thank you from our side."

The Yanga boss added, "It's not just about the outcomes; it's about the intensity and getting the fitness levels I want," he added. "We want to play high-intensity, rock-and-roll football, never letting the opponent breathe. We are not there yet, but we are on the right track."