King Kai inspires Arsenal in derby to spare Raya's blushes

Brilliant De Bruyne & ruthless Haaland lift Man City at Forest

When will Onana learn?! Man Utd 'keeper goes from hero to zero

Arsenal's WSL title hopes in tatters as Everton grab late draw

Heartbreak for Hayes! Dreadful decisions ruin fairy-tale ending

Conte is back! Ex-Chelsea boss set to return to management 

Terry says Ferdinand still blanks him over racial abuse claims

Done deal! Feyenoord boss Slot to replace Klopp at Liverpool

Explained: How much promotion is worth to Wrexham

Tuchel responds to fan petition pleading for Bayern stay

Salah backed to leave Anfield after touchline spat with Klopp

Man Utd 2024-25 kit: Everything we know so far

'Awkward & embarrassed' - Mullin struggling to deal with fame

The Tshwane giants have flattered to deceive in the competition since their successful campaign back in 2016 under the guidance of the accomplished Pitso ‘Jingles’ Mosimane.His successors have just about matched all the other achievements at the club but have found the elite club competition a steeper mountain to climb. Nevertheless, Rhulani Mokwena will be determined to ensure that he scales to the top of the mountain as he looks to write his own history with the Brazilians.The youthful tactician, however, will have to first see off a tricky tie against Tanzanian giants Young Africans who will be eyeing a major upset against one of the favourites for the title.GOAL looks at what will make the encounter between Yanga and Mamelodi Sundowns an interesting watch that can’t be missed. <script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns out to avoid potential banana skin in Tanzanian giants Young Africans

Premier Soccer League

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

TS Galaxy

Premier League

Mashujaa

Young Africans

There could well be a handsome <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/mamelodi-sundowns'-opponents-young-africans-promised-bonuses-ahead-of-caf-champions-league-clash/blt069b077bd04730c9#csf2b55712edc0342b" target="_blank">financial reward awaiting the Yanga players</a> should they manage to pull off an upset and clinch Sundowns’ scalp, which will be a major source of motivation heading into the clash on Saturday. The Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, in Tanzania, Dr. Damas Ndumbaro has been quoted saying that Yanga and Simba SC players will earn more money, should they manage to beat Downs and Al Ahly, respectively. “Even President Samia Suluhu Hassan is ready to support these teams to reach far in the CAF Champions League,” said Dr. Ndumbaro on Daily News Tanzania."She has doubled her goal motivation package from 5 million TSZ [R37, 104] to 10 million TSZ [R74, 209].”This makes for a hard-fought clash with the Yanga players leaving it all on the lines to progress against an experienced Sundowns team that knows how to navigate this stage of the competition.

 Yanga players promised bonuses 🤑

Yanga, the home side for the first leg of the clash, have some previous history with South African clubs where they have more than held their own. The last time the two sides - Sundowns and Yanga - met, was back in 2001 in the second round of the Champions League where they played out a classic tie over two legs. The Brazilians won 3-2 at home and were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw away, taking the tie 6-5 on aggregate with Yanga producing a courageous performance in both legs. Most recently, Yanga defeated Marumo Gallants in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup last season, winning both legs – 2-0 away at home and 2-1 in South Africa.

Yanga’s history with SA sides 

There’s no doubt that Sundowns, on paper, should have more than enough quality to get past the Tanzanian giants, however, football isn’t played on paper and anything can happen. Yanga coach Miguel Gamondi has used the underdog tag to play some mind games with Sundowns ahead of the encounter, insisting the Brazilians have no excuse to not swat his side aside.Gamondi, who was Downs’ co-coach with Neil Tovey back in 2006, insists his former side are the ‘clear favourites’ and the biggest team in the competition alongside record champions Al Ahly.“Sundowns like Al Al Ahly must be in the finals because they are the biggest teams. If you compare the budget of Sundowns to ours, definitely they must be favourites,” Gamondi said.“Last time they bought one player from Argentina [Matias Esquivel] I think for $4 million and we brought Guede and Okra for free in the last transfer window.”

The mind games 

In a bid to ensure that the atmosphere inside the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam is electric and intimidating for Sundowns, Yanga president Hersi Said and the squad’s Executive Committee have announced free entry for scores of fans. This free entry initiative is sure to generate excitement and pack the stadium with a vociferous crowd, creating an electric atmosphere for this crucial match against the Tshwane giants.“The Yanga leadership is not driven by greed. While some might see this as a money-making opportunity with high ticket prices, we believe in a different approach,” Communication Manager, Ally Kamwev told The Guardian.

An electric atmosphere

Sundowns will pose a huge threat to Yanga, regardless of the fact that they will be playing at home in front of a fully packed Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Sundowns have made a name for themselves on the continent and are now among the most feared teams having displayed on numerous occasions their superiority. They clinched the inaugural AFL title last year and are one of the favourites to lift the Champions League title this season, which would be their second after winning the competition in 2016.Sundowns will be banking on their decent away form in hostile conditions to put away Young Africans, who promise to be tough opponents.

Mountain to climb for Yanga

<ul><li><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/team/mamelodi-sundowns/3h2hc3qy5uritiscjfq27bv3a" target="_blank">Sundowns team page</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/caf-champions-league/cse5oqqt2pzfcy8uz6yz3tkbj" target="_blank">Caf Champions League page</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/yanga-have-nothing-to-lose-against-mamelodi-sundowns-makudubela-adamant-wananchi-will-try-to-match-masandawana-in-caf-champions-league-date/blt86e0fedd0b2b1b10" target="_blank">Makudubela warns Downs</a></li></ul>

Dive deeper

CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns out to avoid potential banana skin in Tanzanian giants Young Africans | Goal.com

After a strong showing in the AFL, there’s a strong sense that this could be the season Downs finally get over the line in the Champions League again.

Editors' Picks