Yanga head coach Pedro Goncalves has said that the respect they have for Al Ahly is due to the club’s great achievements in African football, but they are not afraid to face them in tomorrow’s CAF Champions League match.
Speaking during a pre-match press conference, Goncalves said that to reach the highest level, a team must play against — and beat — the best sides.
He stated that Yanga will approach the match with the intention of winning, adding that the quality of his squad and the team’s spirit give him confidence of a strong performance.
"We understand that we are playing against the biggest club in Africa, the Club of the Century, and that deserves respect. But if we want to be part of African football history, it is not about fear — it is about playing football. At the end of the day, we come to play and try to beat our opponents; that is our plan for tomorrow."
"To reach the top level, you must play against the best teams. We believe our squad has quality, the players have the level and the desire to give everything for the team. We trust our players and we believe that tomorrow we will get the result we want."
"Our group is very tough. We respect all our opponents because they have great history and have won many titles in Africa. But the truth is that we are also growing and we have long-term plans to be among the best teams in Africa."
"After two matches, we already have four points and we are still in a good position to qualify from the group stage. Our goal now is to advance from the group. It will not be easy, but we are well prepared and we believe we can succeed."
"In every match, we step onto the pitch with the objective of winning. That is our mindset. We are in a development process, and since I joined the team, we have made significant progress. The results show that, but more importantly, it is the overall development of the team."
"Regarding the players, we want everyone to feel at home. We have shared goals and dreams of achieving great things as a team. We always put the club’s objectives ahead of individual interests," said Goncalves.
Speaking on behalf of his teammates, attacking midfielder Allan Okello said that with unity among the players, they are ready to fight as a team to achieve a positive result in the match.
"Tomorrow we are playing against a very experienced team, with high-quality players and a strong bench. Therefore, it is important for us as players to stay united and fight for every minute."
"In modern football, every team has good players. What makes the difference is how you use your chances and how you minimize mistakes. We will need high concentration, discipline, and effective use of opportunities. We respect our opponents, but we also believe in our ability. Every match is an opportunity to keep growing," Okello said.
