Young Africans SC head coach Manqoba Mngqithi says his side are expecting a tough test in their opening CAF Champions League match against Botswana’s Gaborone United on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Gaborone National Stadium.
Mngqithi said he has had only a few days to prepare his squad, despite having to manage a demanding schedule with two matches in a short period. The coach also praised his Gaborone United counterpart, Sean Connor, saying he has done a great job since taking charge of the team and has built a competitive squad.
Speaking about their opponents’ strengths, Mngqithi described Gaborone United as a strong side, particularly defensively, noting that they do not concede many goals. He added that the team can also be dangerous on the counter-attack and from set pieces, areas where Yanga will need to remain particularly cautious.
Mngqithi also addressed the absence of some key Gaborone United players, including Mothusi Johnson and Mpho Kgwaswane, saying he cannot yet predict how much their absence will affect the match. Nevertheless, he stressed that their opponents still have experienced and dangerous players, including an experienced goalkeeper, two quality strikers, a goalkeeper from Namibia, and a highly capable right-back.
Yanga will begin their CAF Champions League campaign aiming to secure a positive result away from home before the return leg. The Gaborone United vs Young Africans SC match is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 PM Botswana time, which is 8:00 PM Tanzania time, with the attention of Yanga fans firmly focused on the Gaborone National Stadium.
