AS Young Africans embark on the Sead Ramovic era, their first test comes in an intriguing CAF Champions League clash against Al Hilal at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium tomorrow.

Ramovic (pictured), appointed during the international break, faces a baptism of fire as he comes up against a decent Sudanese team that knocked out Young Africans out of the CAF Champions League three years ago.

The former TS Galaxy coach inherits a team trying to recover from back-to-back defeats in the NBC Premier League prior to the international break under his predecessor Miguel Gamondi.

And now the focus of the week is on the new man in town as the Serbian boss takes charge of his first match as the head coach of Young Africans. 

Ramovic has insisted his side will give everything to win against Florent Ibengé’s Al Hilal side who arrived in the country last week ahead of the opening match of the Group Stage.

“I am absolutely pleased we have an amazing group of players, high quality. Now it is just about us, how fast we can implement my high intensity and attractive style of play. It takes time of course but the players have great characters and we are on the right track.

“The Champions League is on schedule. We will try to give everything on the field for our supporters and for the club and of course for ourselves,” said the coach.

He added: “We watched Al Hilal, how they play and what they do. It is a very strong team. Very physical team and we have a plan how we should approach the game.  This is how we train.”

While his tactical imprint will be under immediate scrutiny against Al Hilal, Ramovic pleaded for time to implement his rock and roll style of play.

He said: “I think that every coach and everyone that is involved in this business knows that you need time. I will give you one example so that you may see what I mean. If you go to the gym today to try to build up nice muscles, do you think you will see changes after six days?

“Maybe after one, two to three months then you can see the right transformation in your body. Everything takes time and this is the same with players. 

“My style of play is a little bit different. I like this kind of heavy rock and roll game to attack, press and not to let the opponent breathe.

“This one takes a lot of physical work. It takes time but I am sure when we get to this stage with the individual quality of the players we have, Young Africans will have a lot of fun. This is something I can promise.”