YOUNG Africans (Yanga) head coach Sead Ramovic has addressed recent claims that he made disrespectful comments about the Tanzania Premier League, emphasizing that his words were misunderstood.

Speaking after his team’s dominant 5-0 win over COPCO FC in the Federation Cup on Saturday, Ramovic (pictured) clarified his position and expressed deep respect for the league.

“I have to give a lot of credit to my players. From the first minute, we aimed to play with high intensity, pressing aggressively and maximizing our runs. This is an area we want to improve,” Ramovic said. 

“After the Champions League match, I made comments about intensity, but some Simba journalists misunderstood me and framed it negatively. Let me make it clear - I have the utmost respect for this league, its players, and its coaches.”

Ramovic praised the Premier League as a challenging and competitive environment, describing it as one where success requires significant effort and dedication.

“It’s a very difficult league to play in and even harder to win. As the biggest club in Tanzania, we aim to win every competition, but that requires effort and preparation. 

“This process we are following is the right way, focusing on each game without being fixated on the outcomes,” he added.

The coach noted the improvement in Young Africans’ form since the early days of his tenure, attributing it to the team’s increased intensity and physical conditioning.

“We are focused on improving our intensity - getting more meters in our legs and refining our approach. Scoring 4-5 goals in a match isn’t easy. It reflects the players’ hard work and their commitment to the process,” Ramovic said.

Ramovic also highlighted the importance of respect for opponents, emphasizing that even in commanding victories, the effort required is significant.

“Every team we play against deserves respect. Winning by a large margin is not easy. It speaks volumes about the players’ improvement and dedication. As a coach, I’m thrilled to see their progress,” he remarked.

The coach concluded by reaffirming his commitment to continuous improvement, noting that rigorous training is essential to achieving their goals.

“Our aim is to improve in every aspect. Training should be even harder than matches so that we’re fully prepared. That’s my responsibility as a coach - to ensure we’re always progressing,” he said.

Young Africans’ convincing performance in the Federation Cup and their continued improvement under Ramovic highlight their intent to maintain their dominance in Tanzanian football while preparing for greater challenges ahead.