Young Africans have been eliminated from the 2024-25 CAF Champions League after the Tanzanian giants failed to make a breakthrough in their final Group A match against MC Alger in Dar es Salaam. The visitors from Algeria held Yanga to a 0-0 draw on Saturday, a result that confirms second place in the group and qualifies MCA along with group winners Al Hilal Omdurman to the quarterfinals at the expense of the Citizens.
Yanga attempted to dominate the match at home but MC Alger held out valiantly, their defense strengthened by the return of vocal leader Ayoub Abdellaoui from yellow card suspension. The hosts had a couple of good looks on goal in the first half but Clement Mzize was the chief culprit on a day of wasteful shooting.
After halftime the urgency increased but the results were the same for Yanga. Young MCA goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane made a couple of crucial saves including a quick reaction to a near post header from Prince Dube on a 73rd minute corner kick. The full time whistle arrived to overjoyed celebrations for the visitors and dismay for supporters who expected a triumphant conclusion to Group A for Yanga.
In the other Group A match played simultaneously in Lubumbashi, Congolese champions TP Mazembe ended their disappointing Champions League campaign on a positive note, defeating group winners Al Hilal 4-0. Jean Diouf and Ibrahima Keita were among the scorers for the Ravens who took their chances well for a bittersweet ending to their continental participation.
Results
Young Africans (TZA) 0-0 MC Alger (ALG)
TP Mazembe (DRC) 4-0 Al Hilal (SDN)
Final Group A Table
GP | Points | |
Al Hilal Omdurman | 6 | 10 |
MC Alger | 6 | 9 |
Young Africans | 6 | 8 |
TP Mazembe | 6 | 5 |
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