Yanga SC head coach Pedro Goncalves has said his team will head into the KMC Complex tomorrow aiming for victory in their CRDB Federation Cup Round of 16 match against TMA Stars.
Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Goncalves said the match is not about collecting points but requires a win to progress further in the competition.
The Portuguese coach noted that he expects a tough challenge from TMA Stars, stressing that lower-division teams often play with great discipline when facing top-tier opposition, while also using such matches as an opportunity to showcase their talent.
He said Yanga must take all necessary precautions and stick to their game plan in order to secure victory and reach the quarter-finals.
“We are heading into a competition of special significance. Tomorrow we are not going for points but for victory. Our opponents know very well that football has its surprises. I remember our last match against Cosmopolitans was very difficult. What I realized is that lower-division teams play with the same discipline as Premier League sides. We must play with focus and caution,” he said.
“We must play with effort and concentration, regardless of whether we are facing Al Ahly or TMA. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves in a difficult situation because our opponents have nothing to lose. If we lose tomorrow, we will have lost the cup. If we execute everything properly, we have a good chance of winning it again.”
“I know many TMA players understand that tomorrow is an important platform to show their ability. We must be aware of that, but we should not lose sight of our objectives. They have eliminated a Premier League team, so they are not to be underestimated. I strongly urge our fans to come in large numbers and give us support,” said Goncalves.
