Tanzania’s Young Africans SC send strong message

_{Young Africans SC last night finished runners-up in the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.}

_{The Tanzanian giants beat hosts USM Alger 1-0 at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers on Saturday night to finish 2-2 on aggregate, but the Algerians edged them out on an away goals rule.}

_{It was Djuma Shabani’s first half converted penalty that ensured the Young Africans SC team proved a point that they can win away from home. The Tanzanian side also had man of the match Djigui Diarra save USM Alger’s skipper Zineddine Belaid’s second-half penalty.}

_{But as many where celebrating the end of an entertaining final, several other people also noted that Young Africans SC have sent a strong message and represented Tanzania and the CECAFA region well.}

_{Yussuf Mossi, the CECAFA competitions Director noted that Young Africans have proved a point this season that they have been very organized and performed well. “They have sent a strong message home and as CECAFA we are happy with their performance and hope that as a region we keep getting better and better in the CAF competitions,” added Mossi.}

_{Ahmed Ahmed Yusuf, a strong USM Alger supporter also made it clear that the Tanzanian team had sent a strong message to the continent. “Although they did not win the Cup, they have showed that they are an organized team. It is not easy to come here and beat USM Alger at home,” added Yusuf.}

_{“As East Africans we are very impressed with the way Young Africans SC have carried the flag high. They have sent a strong message because they have beaten some strong teams in the continent enroute to the final,” says David Murungi from Rwanda.}

_{Micky Nsuva, who follows a lot of Football in Tanzania told Cecafaonline that Young Africans Sc have been a class apart this season and have represented the country well. “They invested and have planned well and now the results are coming in. They are winning everything in Tanzania and now reached the final in a CAF competition,” added Nsuva.}

Samia Suluhu, the President of Tanzania also congratulated the Young Africans SC team. “The history yo have written in your journey to this Championship is great and honorable for Nation. I wish you all the best in your future plans,” added Suluhu.

_{Although Young Africans SC lost in the final, they had star striker Fiston Kalala Mayele finish top scorer with seven goals, and will also pick a cash prize of US$1 million for finishing second.}

_{After failing to go past Sudan’s Al Hilal in the final TotalEnergies CAF Champions League match to decide if they make it to the group stage, Young Africans SC showed good form I the Confederation Cup by brushing aside the likes of Club Africain, Union Monastirienne (Tunisia), Real Bamako (Maki), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Rivers United (Nigeria) and Marumo Gallants (South Africa).}