YOUNG Africans SC, reigning champions of the Tanzania Mainland Premier League, have arrived in Addis Ababa ahead of their crucial CAF Champions League showdown against Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE).

The match is set to take place tomorrow at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, with the return leg scheduled for next week at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Despite a few challenges, including the absence of Farid Mussa due to a hamstring surgery, the team is in high spirits. 

Manager Walter Harrison confirmed that all other players, including those returning from international duty, have rejoined the squad in Addis Ababa, ensuring a strong lineup for the upcoming match.

“We are continuing with our training sessions, and the squad is in excellent shape. The players who were involved in the AFCON qualifiers have joined us, and we are ready for the final round of the CAF Champions League,” Harrison said. 

He added: “Our morale is high, and we aim to secure positive results away from home, knowing we respect our opponents but are confident in our abilities.”

The Young Africans' squad is buoyed by their remarkable 10-0 aggregate victory over Vital’O FC in the previous round, which has added to their growing confidence as they prepare to face CBE.

The team’s key international players, who were recently called up for their national teams, include Khalid Aucho (Uganda), Prince Dube (Zimbabwe), Clatous Chama and Kennedy Musonda (Zambia), Aziz Ki (Burkina Faso), Djigui Diarra (Mali), and Duke Abuya (Kenya). 

Additionally, seven players from Yanga were selected for Tanzania's national team. The players are Mudathir Yahya, Aboutwalib Mshery, Dickson Job, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Ibrahim Bacca, Clement Mzize, and Nickson Kibabage. 

Despite the absence of 14 players during the international break, coach Miguel Gamondi kept the team’s momentum by organizing a friendly match against Kiluvya FC, which Yanga won 3-0.

As they prepare for the first leg in Addis Ababa, Young Africans are determined to carry their domestic dominance onto the continental stage, with hopes of securing a solid advantage before the return leg in Dar es Salaam.