YOUNG Africans SC’s head coach Miguel Gamondi praised the performance shown by his side as it shared the spoils with Mamelodi Sundowns in a goalless draw at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam last Saturday.

Visitors Mamelodi Sundowns dominated possession without really troubling the Young Africans SC’s back-line and goalkeeper Djigui Diarra in the first leg of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League quarterfinal.

Speaking after the game, Gamondi heaped praises on his players for showcasing a splendid performance against what he called the best team in Africa.

“I wish we won the game but I am very proud of the boys. We had a fantastic game against the best team in Africa,” Gamondi pointed out.

“We went toe to toe and I think we created more chances than them. I think ‘Wananchi’ must be proud of what the boys did inside the pitch,” Gamondi disclosed.

He noted: “It was a tactical battle. They know us, they’ve been here, they follow us personally. They know everything, and I tried to change many things to adapt to them. Tactically we played very well but you know Sundowns have that power, all the resources to do that in professional football.”

The coach revealed: "I think we did very well. I spoke with the assistant coach Manqoba Mngqithi and he was impressed with our football. Sometimes we watch only the results but you must see the process as well.”

“We are far away, my caution was experience, a team with that experience- they had seven play in the African Cup of Nations.”

“We had players who have not played a lot like Jonas Mkude, Dickson Job playing right back and he was fantastic. I can’t mention all the players, they were all good. Don’t forget we missed Pacome, Aucho, and Yao who are part of the backbone for us,” the Argentine added.

The tactician disclosed: “I am very happy because this is the type of football we like to play and I think it is very good for Tanzania because the whole African continent is talking about and a lot of people are saying Sundowns and Yanga are the best teams who play football. We need to be proud of this.”

Gamondi remarked: “I regret the missed chances but we learn. We are alive and ‘Wananchi’ must be sure that we are going there to fight, we don’t give up, never."

With the spoils being shared in Dar es Salaam, it is all to play for when the two sides meet again at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium for the second leg next weekend.