Despite Yanga fans’ desire to see attacking midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki start every match, Yanga head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has insisted that the star has not yet reached 100 percent fitness to play a full 90 minutes.
In the previous CAF Champions League preliminary-round match against Gaborone United, Aziz Ki played 45 minutes in the second half and was closely marked by Gaborone players, who made sure to commit numbers to limiting him whenever he got on the ball.
Manqoba has stressed that Aziz Ki will continue to play between 45 and 60 minutes for now as he continues to build his fitness, while emphasising that the player is an important part of Yanga’s plans, particularly in the CAF Champions League.
“His fitness has improved compared to when he joined us. I will continue giving him playing minutes so that he can become fitter. I am still not thinking of giving him more than 60 minutes because he has not yet reached the fitness level he needs to be at.”
“Aziz Ki is very important from a technical perspective and he will add great value to our squad when he is 100 percent fit,” Manqoba said.
After not starting the previous match, there is a strong possibility that Manqoba will hand Aziz Ki a starting role tomorrow when Yanga face Gaborone United in the CAF Champions League second leg.
