YOUNG Africans head coach Miguel Gamondi is intensifying preparations for the much-anticipated CAF Champions League second-round preliminary tie against Ethiopia’s CBE, despite the challenge of a significantly depleted squad due to international call-ups.

The defending champions of the Tanzanian Mainland Premier League are set to face CBE on September 14 at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, with the return leg scheduled for a week later at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Gamondi has been working with a reduced squad, making it difficult to maintain the full intensity of training. Young Africans’ Information and Communication Officer, Ali Kamwe, confirmed that while the coach faces difficulties, he remains committed to getting the available players into top shape for the upcoming continental fixture.

“Yanga registered 27 players for this season, but 14 of them are currently on international duty, representing countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania,” Kamwe said. “This leaves us with only 13 players in camp, and two of those players are currently dealing with injuries.”

Despite these challenges, the club is working to ensure the remaining players stay fit and focused. To maintain momentum during this critical period, Gamondi organized a series of activities, including a behind-closed-doors friendly against Kiluvya FC, which Young Africans won 3-0. The match featured players from the second team due to the shortage of senior squad members.

Kamwe explained that the friendly match was crucial for assessing the players' readiness and keeping them match sharp ahead of the CBE encounter. “The coach needed a friendly game to gauge the players’ fitness and keep them sharp,” Kamwe added. “It served its purpose well.”

In addition to the depleted squad, injury concerns have added to the challenges for Gamondi and his technical team. While Kamwe did not specify which players are affected, he confirmed that the medical staff is working to get them fit ahead of the CBE clash. Training sessions have been adjusted to manage the workload of the available players, while also ensuring tactical preparations continue smoothly.

Young Africans are keen to translate their domestic success into the CAF Champions League. The Jangwani Street-based side's commanding 10-0 aggregate win over Burundi’s Vital’O FC in the previous round has given the squad confidence, but Kamwe acknowledged that CBE will be a more formidable challenge.

“We know the match against CBE will be difficult, especially playing away in Addis Ababa, but we are confident in our preparations,” Kamwe said. “The technical team has worked hard, and we are determined to get a good result in Ethiopia.”

Travel arrangements for the trip to Ethiopia are being finalized, with the team expected to arrive in Addis Ababa a few days before the match to acclimatize and hold final practice sessions at the venue.

Young Africans have set high ambitions for this CAF Champions League campaign, aiming to progress deeper into the competition. After their success against Vital’O, the squad is determined to build on their momentum and make a statement on the continental stage.

“The victory against Vital’O was a great morale booster,” Kamwe noted. “It showed we have the quality to compete at this level. Now we’re focused on the challenge ahead against CBE, and we believe we can succeed.”

With their international players expected to rejoin the squad just days before the clash, Young Africans are hopeful of fielding their strongest lineup for the first leg in Addis Ababa, aiming to secure a positive result and advance to the next stage of the CAF Champions League.