STEPHANE Aziz Ki, the standout forward for Young Africans, is determined to surpass his previous achievements in the CAF Champions League this season.

Last season, Aziz Ki (pictured) played a crucial role in leading Young Africans to the quarterfinals of the competition, attracting attention from top clubs across Africa. Despite interest from other teams, the Burkinabe international remains committed to the Tanzanian giants. 

In the Premier League, he scored 21 goals and provided eight assists, earning the league MVP award. He is now eager to guide Young Africans to greater success on the continental stage. 

He has shared his thoughts on the club’s ambitions, the influence of coach Miguel Gamondi, and the factors contributing to the team's recent success.

Young Africans have entered the new CAF Champions League season with high expectations, eager to build on last year's impressive performance, which saw them reach the quarterfinals. 

The team’s return to the competition after a 24-year absence was a remarkable achievement, setting the stage for a promising campaign. Aziz Ki expressed his satisfaction with the team's progress, emphasizing the importance of approaching every match with a final-like intensity.

"It’s always our goal to be at the top. We have to approach every game with the utmost determination and play at a high level from start to finish. The first match was a great start, but we know there’s still a long way to go," said Aziz Ki.

"Honestly, the goal is to be better than the day before. The team wants to do better than the last game. We want to prove ourselves because the coach has done his best to prepare us in training sessions. It’s always important to have the support of your fans, and the team has to play well all the time to make them happy in return," he added.

Aziz Ki also praised Gamondi for transforming the team’s mentality and pushing them to strive for greatness. 

"Gamondi has ignited a fire within our team, transforming our mentality and pushing us to strive for greatness," he said.

The coach’s demanding style has not only elevated individual performances but has also fostered a collective desire to dominate every game. Aziz Ki stated that the team is aiming high in this year’s CAF Champions League, determined to make a significant impact on the continental stage.

"The objective for the season is clear: to go far. By that, I mean a minimum of reaching the semi-finals. That is what everyone is working towards. We have to be ready to play every game like a final if we want to be regarded as the best in Africa," said Aziz Ki.

Despite his rise to prominence last season, Aziz Ki remains humble, attributing his success to the unwavering support of his teammates. 

"The team has been my foundation. They’ve provided me with everything I need to succeed. That’s why I’m not focused on individual glory. My priority is the team’s success. I can’t achieve anything alone. While I won’t claim to be the best, I’m determined to contribute my best to a team that’s already exceptional," he noted.

Today, Young Africans face Vital'O FC in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary stage at Azam Complex. In the first leg, the Tanzanian side secured a commanding 4-0 victory over the Burundian Primus League representatives.

As Young Africans look ahead to the next phase of the competition, their dominant performance against Vital'O highlights their potential to make a deep run in the CAF Champions League this season. 

The aggregate winner between Young Africans and Vital'O FC will face either SC Villa of Uganda or Ethiopia’s Commercial Bank in the next round. 

The victor of the second preliminary round will advance to the lucrative group stages of Africa’s premier club competition, scheduled to take place between October and December.