Yanga head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has spoken about the team’s preparations ahead of tomorrow’s match against Geita Gold, stressing that they expect to face a quality opponent capable of posing a serious challenge.
Manqoba said Geita Gold have technically gifted players, a well-organised playing structure, a solid defence and the ability to launch dangerous counter-attacks.
“We are going to face a very good team. They have players with great technical ability, they are well organised, compact in defence and capable of launching dangerous counter-attacks. They are a team that can surprise and beat any opponent, so we know we are not playing against an easy side,” Manqoba said.
Changes to the Lineup
The coach said he could not yet reveal what changes would be made to the lineup for the match, as the team had not completed a full training session and they were still assessing the condition of some players.
He said minor injuries suffered by some players in the previous match could influence his team selection.
“At this stage, it is difficult to say what changes we will make to the team ahead of tomorrow’s match. We have not yet had a full training session, and we do not know for certain the condition of the injured players and those who picked up minor knocks in the previous match. However, it is clear that there will be some changes.”
Manqoba: I Have No Pressure
Manqoba also said he is under no pressure ahead of the match, explaining that he is in the position he wanted to be in and that he enjoys the competition in the league.
The coach stressed the importance of taking one match at a time, particularly given the high level of competition in the league.
“I have no pressure. I am in the position I wanted to be in. We have to enjoy the competition and see where the battle takes us. This is a highly competitive league and we have not yet played against some of the big teams, so we have to take one match at a time.”
FIFA Break to Provide Opportunity for Improvement
Manqoba also acknowledged that there are still many areas the team needs to improve. However, he said limited preparation and training time has made it difficult to make significant improvements.
He expressed hope that the FIFA international break will give the team an opportunity to work more, including improving the fitness levels of some players.
“There are still many things we need to improve. The problem is that when we do not have enough time to train, it becomes difficult to make major improvements. We hope the FIFA break will help us to some extent, including improving the fitness levels of some players.”
Calls on Wananchi to Turn Up
Manqoba also praised the team’s supporters, thanking them for remaining behind the team during a demanding run of fixtures.
He urged the fans to continue offering their support and turn out in large numbers for tomorrow’s match to give the players an extra boost on the pitch.
“I would like to thank and congratulate the Wananchi. They have stayed with the team, given us tremendous support during our difficult schedule and continued to back us every day. I ask them to continue with that tradition of supporting us, and we will continue to improve our performance.”
He added:
“We need them to come in large numbers tomorrow and give us strength as our 12th player, so that together we can make sure we get the victory.”
