MOROCCAN giants AS FAR Rabat are aiming for a powerful start to their CAF Champions League group stage campaign as they prepare to face Tanzania’s Young Africans SC (Yanga) on Saturday, November 22, at 7:00 p.m. at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

The clash marks the beginning of Group B — regarded as one of the most competitive in this season’s tournament — featuring defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt, JS Kabylie of Algeria, AS FAR, and Young Africans. 

For the Moroccan side, the trip to Zanzibar represents more than an opening fixture; it’s an early test of tactical discipline, physical readiness, and mental strength against one of East Africa’s most organized teams under Portuguese coach Pedro Gonçalves.

AS FAR head coach Alexandre Dos Santos (pictured) has embraced the challenge, describing the upcoming duel against Gonçalves’ men as a genuine test of strategy and adaptability.

“Playing against Young Africans is not an ordinary task. They are champions of Tanzania for a reason and play with energy, rhythm, and identity under their coach Pedro Gonçalves. We must respect that while staying true to our philosophy,” Dos Santos was quoted as saying.

The Brazilian-born tactician, known for his analytical preparation, revealed that his technical team has spent weeks studying Young Africans’ tactical patterns — focusing on their transitions, set-piece organization, and fluid attacking movements led by quick wingers and mobile forwards.

“We know Young Africans like to control the tempo, especially at home. They press intelligently and their wing play is dynamic. We must match their intensity and find ways to exploit the spaces they leave when pushing forward,” he added.

Dos Santos emphasized that discipline, compact defending, and sharp counterattacks will be key to AS FAR’s approach in Zanzibar. He described the group stage as “six finals,” stressing that every match will be decisive in the pursuit of quarter-final qualification.

“The Champions League is not about one game; it’s about managing six tough battles. Every minute counts, and attention to detail will determine who advances. We are approaching this stage as a mini-tournament within itself,” he noted.

AS FAR’s preparations have included an intensive training camp focused on endurance, set-piece execution, and high-pressure simulations to mirror the conditions expected in Zanzibar. The technical staff has also conducted extensive video analysis of Yanga’s recent performances — particularly their strong home form at the New Amaan Complex.

Dos Santos expressed confidence in his squad’s readiness, highlighting the leadership of goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, whose experience will be crucial in navigating the high-energy atmosphere expected in Zanzibar.

Tagnaouti echoed his coach’s sentiments, calling for composure and unity.

“We are in a group with very experienced teams like Al Ahly, Yanga, and JS Kabylie. But we are also champions and have prepared to face every challenge. We’ll take it match by match, starting in Tanzania,” Tagnaouti said.

He added that playing Young Africans away will be both thrilling and demanding given their passionate supporters and unbeaten record at the New Amaan Complex.

“Their fans create an incredible environment - that’s the beauty of African football. We need to stay calm, manage the pressure, and execute our plan with precision,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Young Africans, led by Pedro Goncalves, have been training intensively in Dar es Salaam before shifting base to Zanzibar ahead of the fixture. The Portuguese tactician is expected to deploy his trademark 4-3-3 formation emphasizing possession, quick interchanges, and high pressing - a style that Dos Santos and his analysts have been closely monitoring.

The tactical battle between Dos Santos and Goncalves is already being billed as one of the most intriguing duels of Matchday One. While Goncalves’ Young Africans thrive on fluid attacking football, Dos Santos’ AS FAR rely on structure and counter-attacking precision — making the encounter a potential chess match.

“Our ambition remains the same: to qualify for the quarter-finals. Every team in this group has pedigree, but we also have history and hunger. We respect Yanga, but we will be there to compete, not to admire,” Dos Santos declared.

The CAF Champions League group stage runs from November 21–23 through February 15, with two rounds before the Africa Cup of Nations break and four afterward. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals in March 2026, where the eventual champions will walk away with USD 4 million in prize money.

As AS FAR finalize their travel arrangements to Zanzibar, confidence remains high in Rabat. For Dos Santos, the upcoming fixture is not just a tactical challenge — it’s a chance to prove that Moroccan football’s evolution can stand toe-to-toe with East Africa’s rising force.

With both teams eager to make a statement, Young Africans vs AS FAR promises to be a thrilling opening act in Group B - an early test of ambition, strategy, and continental pedigree.