YOUNG Africans Sports Club head coach Sead Ramovic has attributed his team’s 2-0 loss to MC Alger in the CAF Champions League Group A match to two key mistakes that shifted the game’s momentum.

The encounter, held at the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algeria, marked Young Africans’ second consecutive defeat in the group stage, following a similar loss at home against Al Hilal.

Speaking after the game, Ramovic (pictured), who took charge of Young Africans just three weeks ago, highlighted the errors as moments of lost focus that ultimately cost his team.

“It was probably not a good day for us. If you look at how we started the game and the results we got, they are two different things,” said the German tactician. “We made two mistakes that caused us to lose focus, and it cost us. These are matches where you have to play with your sanity throughout the game.”

The loss leaves Young Africans at the bottom of Group A with no points, putting them in a precarious position ahead of their next match against TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 14.

While Ramovic acknowledged his team’s mistakes, several underlying issues contributed to the defeat. 

One of the most glaring was the midfield’s inability to maintain passing accuracy. Key players like Duke Abuya, Maxi Nzengeli, Stéphane Aziz Ki, and Mudathir Yahya failed to deliver reliable passes, disrupting Young Africans’ ability to build effective attacks.

Injuries also plagued the team, with crucial players like Khalid Aucho, Dickson Job, and left-back Chadrack Boka missing from the lineup. Boka’s absence was particularly noticeable, as his replacement, Nickson Kibabage, struggled defensively. 

MC Alger exploited Kibabage’s flank to launch repeated attacks, highlighting the gap left by Boka’s injury.

Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, though present, played through injuries, further exposing the team’s vulnerability.

One of the most pressing issues for Young Africans is the dip in form of midfielder Aziz Ki. Known for his creative prowess last season, Ki has been unable to replicate his previous performances. His subdued presence on the field has left Young Africans without a reliable playmaker.

Options to address this include giving Clatous Chama more responsibility in midfield or resting Ki to help him recover from fatigue. 

Last season, Ki expended significant energy competing for the Mainland Premier League Golden Boot, where he scored 21 goals.

Upfront, Young Africans strikers have struggled to make an impact. Kennedy Musonda showed promise but lacked the pace needed to unsettle MC Alger’s defenders. 

Prince Dube appeared low on confidence, Clement Mzize is sidelined with injury, and Jean Baleke has yet to find his rhythm. These challenges have left Young Africans without a dependable goal scorer.

Young Africans now face a daunting trip to Lubumbashi to take on TP Mazembe, a team they share a storied rivalry with. 

History suggests a tough battle awaits. In 2016, Mazembe defeated Young Africans 3-1 in Lubumbashi and followed up with a 1-0 win in Dar es Salaam. However, Young Africans turned the tables during the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup group stage, securing a 1-0 victory in Lubumbashi and a 3-1 win at home.

The stakes are high for Young Africans, who must claim victory to keep their hopes of progressing alive. With no points from their opening two matches, Ramovic’s side must deliver a flawless performance against Mazembe to stay in contention.

Young Africans’ defensive lapses were a recurring theme in their loss to MC Alger. The absence of reliable defenders and the team’s inability to block MC Alger’s attacks underscore the need for better organization at the back.

Depth in the squad has also emerged as a concern. Players filling in for injured teammates must step up to maintain the team’s competitiveness in the CAF Champions League.

Despite the challenges, Ramovic remains optimistic about Young Africans’ ability to turn their fortunes around. With four matches left in the group stage, including the pivotal clash against TP Mazembe, the team has a chance to redeem itself.

However, improvement is needed across all areas of play midfield creativity, defensive solidity, and finishing in the final third. Injuries must be managed effectively, and the team’s morale must remain intact as they navigate a tough schedule.

For Young Africans, the journey to salvage their CAF Champions League campaign begins with addressing the mistakes and tactical shortcomings that have plagued their performances so far. 

Whether they can rise to the challenge and reclaim their form remains to be seen, but the stakes could not be higher.