YOUNG Africans (Yanga) head coach Miloud Hamdi has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness ahead of their crucial Mainland Premier League encounter against Tanzania Prisons, scheduled for today, Wednesday, June 18, at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya. Kick-off is at 4:00 PM EAT.

This fixture marks a critical point in the title race as Young Africans seek to defend their crown for the fourth consecutive season. 

With just three matches left in the campaign, Hamdi (pictured) has emphasized the importance of each remaining fixture, describing them as “finals” for his team.

The first-round meeting between the two sides ended in a comprehensive 4-0 win for Young Africans, underlining their superiority in recent head-to-head encounters. The Jangwani Street-based giants have won all five of their last five meetings against Tanzania Prisons.

Moreover, Young Africans come into this match in exceptional form, having won all of their last five league matches. While Tanzania Prisons also show promising recent form - recording four wins and one draw in their previous five games - and they are in a far more precarious position on the league table.

Currently sitting 13th with 30 points from 28 games, Tanzania Prisons occupy the relegation play-off spot. This fixture is their penultimate match of the season, with their final game scheduled against Singida Black Stars. 

A win or even a draw today could be pivotal in pulling them out of the danger zone.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, coach Hamdi made it clear that his players understand the magnitude of the fixture and the mission at hand.

“We are facing four finals, starting with today’s game against Tanzania Prisons,” Hamdi said. “We must win all these games to successfully defend our title.”

“Every player knows what is at stake. We have prepared thoroughly from a tactical and technical perspective to ensure we walk away with all three points,” he added.

The coach insisted that his focus is solely on Young Africans’ readiness, paying little attention to the opposition’s preparations.

“I don’t care how our opponents have prepared. We haven’t come to Mbeya for a sightseeing tour; we came here to take three points. We’re focused, and we know what we need to do. There’s no room for anything less than victory,” he said.

He also acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead, admitting that Tanzania Prisons is a competitive side with experience in the Tanzanian top flight.

“We expect a tough match. We’re up against a well-organized team that knows the league well. But we have done the kind of preparation required to win a game like this,” said Hamdi.

Young Africans will be without their Zambian striker Kennedy Musonda, who did not travel with the team to Mbeya due to illness. Hamdi expressed his disappointment at Musonda’s absence, noting that he had hoped to have every player available for the final stretch of the season.

“In these final matches, I wanted every player to be part of the battle for three points. Unfortunately, Musonda is unwell and had to remain in Dar es Salaam,” said the coach.

Young Africans currently lead the Premier League standings with 73 points from 27 matches, having recorded 24 wins, one draw, and just two losses. Hot on their heels are fierce rivals Simba SC, who sit in second place with 72 points from the same number of games.

The race for the title is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory, with the league’s final day featuring a potentially decisive Dar es Salaam Derby between Young Africans and Simba. Given the razor-thin margin at the top, Young Africans must secure maximum points from all their remaining matches to clinch the championship.

Hamdi and his players are fully aware of the stakes and are approaching each match with the intensity and determination of a final. Today’s clash in Mbeya is just one of four steps they must conquer to lift the title once again and write another chapter in the club’s illustrious history.