Young Africans SC will fight back after defeat to USM Alger – Fiston Mayele

S_{tar striker Fiston Kalala Mayele has vowed that he battle is not yet over as Young Africans SC head to Algeria for the return leg of the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final.}

_{The Tanzanian giants suffered a 2-1 home defeat to USM Alger in the first leg of the final played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.}

_{Playing on a wet surface infront of a packed Stadium, the Algerian side took the lead after 32 minutes with a well taken header by Aymen Mahous Mahious. The USM Alger defenders tight marked Mayele through out the first half before as the match went into recess 1-0 in favour of the visitors.}

_{But after the interval, the home side spurred on by the fans pushed forward before substitute Bernard Morrison set-up Mayele who volleyed the ball past the USM Alger goalkeeper Benbot Oussama to make it 1-1.}

_{But the Algerian side restored their lead after only two minutes when Islam Merili made it 2-1. In added time Morrison would failed to shot from close range for Young Africans.}

_{But Mayele who has now netted seven goals in the competition made it clear that the battle is not lost yet. “We can also go to Algeria and win. There are still 90 minutes left in Algeria, we are going to wet the jersey for our football team,” added Mayele.}

_{Nabi Nasreddine, the Young Africans coach also made it clear that although his team had not defended so well, they still have a chance in the second leg. “We are going to prepare well so that we are better in the return leg,” added the coach.}

_{The return leg will be played on June 3rd, 2023.}