AS FAR head coach Alexandre Santos has admitted that it was not easy for his team to handle Yanga’s attacking midfielder Pacome Zouzoua, who he said practically “hired” their defenders during the CAF Champions League match played over the weekend, where Yanga won 1–0 at the New Amaan Complex.
AS FAR, who arrived in Zanzibar full of confidence, suffered their first defeat of the season, with Santos acknowledging that Pacome completely outplayed them.
“Yanga have many good players, but that number 10 (Pacome) is the most dangerous. He is incredibly creative when the ball is at his feet. There were moments when his team dropped in intensity, but he brought them back into the game. He is a top-quality player,” Santos said.
“After watching him in the first half, we tried to adjust and contain him in the second half, but he continued to break our defensive line. I also think the weather affected my players,” he added after the intense 90 minutes in Zanzibar.
The defeat ended AS FAR’s strong record this season. Their last loss in 90 minutes was on May 3, when they were beaten 2–1 away by Wydad Athletic in the Moroccan league. Yanga’s victory halted their run of 19 unbeaten matches across all competitions.
AS FAR, currently second in the Moroccan Botola Pro 1 league standings, have scored 22 goals so far and conceded only four—including the goal scored by Yanga’s Dube.
As Yanga travel to Algeria to face JS Kabylie in their second group-stage match on Friday, AS FAR will be at home preparing to host Al Ahly, who defeated JS Kabylie 4–1 in their opening match.
