Photo Courtesy MC Alger Media.
MC Alger head coach Khaled Ben Yahia has dismissed claims that they fear playing against Young Africans (Yanga SC) in their final group fixture of the CAF Champions League on Saturday.
With Al Hilal already qualified, the battle for the second ticket is fierce between MCA and the Tanzanian Premier League champions. Alger are currently sitting second with eight points, needing only a draw to progress while Yanga, with seven points, must secure a win to leapfrog their Algerian rivals.
Asked if they fear playing Yanga in Tanzania, Ben Yahia replied: “Why fear them, why have fear? We don’t have any fear coming up against Yanga. We know they are a good team but we have planned what we will do against them. It will not be an easy game but we hope to get a good result."
“For us to get a win, all my players must be fit and ready to fight, we must avoid making silly mistakes and they must give it all, it is a fight throughout 90 minutes and not only 10 minutes.”
He continued: “We know playing away against a Yanga side, who have a huge following will not be easy. The heat in Dar es Salaam may be an issue for my players but it will definitely affect both players so that is nothing to worry about.”
Ben Yahia further acknowledged the intensity of the encounter but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to handle the pressure. “This is an important match for us. It will be intense and challenging both technically and tactically but we are well-prepared to secure the result we need to qualify,” he explained.
MC Alger midfielder Zakaria Draoui said ahead of the crucial fixture: “We know what is at stake, we know what we have to do but it will not be an easy game. However, we are prepared to give our all to ensure qualification.”
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