Mashujaa FC head coach Jamhuri Kiwhelo, popularly known as “Julio”, has expressed strong confidence ahead of their NBC Premier League clash against Yanga SC, set to be played on Saturday at Lake Tanganyika Stadium.
Julio insisted that the defending champions will not have an easy match, stressing that his team has prepared well and is ready to prevent what he described as easy victories for Yanga in previous encounters.
Speaking firmly, the coach said he is well aware of Yanga’s strength, but also believes the opposition understands the challenge they will face.
Julio added that throughout his coaching career, he has managed to get positive results against big teams, maintaining that his confidence remains unchanged even when facing the reigning champions.
“I think everyone has their own philosophy. My philosophy is that conceding five goals to Yanga will not be easy because this is not the first time I am playing against them. When I was at Simba I played them, I have beaten them, and sometimes they have beaten me. I don’t even remember exactly when,” he said.
“With Kajumulo I beat them, with Mwadui I beat them, so I still have a record of beating Yanga. Even they know they are facing a coach with confidence. The same confidence I had at Simba is the same I have now. I want to tell you that Simba may even have stronger forwards than Yanga.”
“For me, Yanga is a simple team. I respect them, they have good players. Dube is an opportunist, not a fighter. Pacome is a good dribbler, he can assist and score. They also have Mudathir, a clever player, and Okello as well.”
“If you mark them properly, they cannot play. Yanga only has three key players—I will not mention them today because I might reveal my tactics. But I can assure you Yanga are not coming to beat us easily. The days of five-goal defeats are over—not with Julio,” he added.
