Young Africans SC (Yanga) still hold their fate in the race to qualify for the CAF Champions League quarterfinals, following the results of the fourth round of Group B matches, which have intensified competition for progression.
Yanga were held to a 1–1 draw by Egypt’s Al Ahly in a match played yesterday, a result that took them to five points and kept them in second place in the Group B standings.
In the other Group B fixture, Morocco’s AS FAR secured a 1–0 victory over Algeria’s JS Kabylie. That win also lifted AS FAR to five points, but they remain below Yanga due to Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations.
According to CAF rules, when teams are level on points, head-to-head results are considered before goal difference. Yanga remain ahead after defeating AS FAR in their first meeting, which was played in Dar es Salaam.
These results have made the upcoming match between Yanga and AS FAR, scheduled for next Saturday, February 7, in Morocco, extremely important in determining qualification for the quarterfinals.
Yanga could qualify early if they secure a victory in Morocco, especially if JS Kabylie fail to beat Al Ahly. However, even an away draw or a defeat by no more than two goals—provided Yanga score at least one away goal—could still protect their position based on their strong head-to-head record. In that scenario, they would still need to win their final home match against JS Kabylie.
The match in Morocco will be played without AS FAR supporters, after the club was sanctioned by CAF, a situation expected to give Yanga a psychological boost.
After the Morocco encounter, Yanga will conclude the group stage on February 13 with a match against JS Kabylie at the New Amaan Complex Stadium in Zanzibar, where a win or positive result would officially confirm a quarterfinal berth.
As things stand, Yanga remain in a strong position to qualify for the quarterfinals, with everything still firmly in their own hands.
