COASTAL Union head coach Juma Mwambusi has admitted the daunting task his side faces as they prepare to battle runaway league leaders Young Africans (Yanga) in today’s Mainland Premier League clash at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam.

Speaking ahead of the match, Mwambusi (pictured) acknowledged Young Africans’ strength and current form but remained cautiously optimistic. 

“We respect all teams because we have to face every opponent, and right now our main objective is to remain in the league,” he said.

Mwambusi, who previously served on Young Africans’ technical bench, admitted that the game will not be easy, particularly against a side determined to clinch their fourth successive league title. However, he believes that anything can happen within the 90 minutes.

“This match is important for us. We are facing one of the best teams in the league, but we are focused. Despite the long journey from Kagera to Dar es Salaam after our last match, we are preparing well to compete and get a positive result,” he added.

He also promised to address the shortcomings that led to their 2-1 defeat against Kagera Sugar earlier this week. 

“How we are going to prepare is our secret, but we will work on all the mistakes that cost us the game in Kagera,” said the tactician.

Coastal Union enter today’s match with a concerning run of form, especially in front of goal. In their last seven league outings spanning 630 minutes the Tanga-based side has managed to score only once, a goal that came in the loss to Kagera Sugar. 

Before that, they went six consecutive matches without finding the back of the net.

In stark contrast, their opponents Young Africans have been in rampant form. They top the league table with 61 points and have scored a league-high 61 goals this season. 

In their last seven league matches, they have scored 25 goals an average of 3.6 goals per game while conceding only three.

Coastal Union, on the other hand, have conceded seven goals during that same stretch, averaging a goal against per match. Their poor attacking return and defensive vulnerability are clear indicators of the challenge ahead.

This dip in form has drastically altered Coastal Union’s campaign trajectory. Last season, they finished fourth with 43 points and qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup. But this season has told a different story. 

With 24 games played, Coastal have only five wins, 10 draws, and nine losses. They’ve scored 19 goals and conceded 25, collecting 25 points in total, which places them 12th on the log.

Currently, they are nine points above bottom-placed KenGold, who sit on 16 points, and three points ahead of Kagera Sugar (22 points), who occupy the relegation playoff spot. 

With six matches remaining, every point is vital as Coastal Union fight to secure their topflight status.

Their remaining fixtures after the Young Africans clash include home matches against Singida Black Stars and KenGold, followed by an  away game against Tanzania Prisons. They will then wrap up the season with two home fixtures against Fountain Gate and Tabora United.

Encouragingly for Coastal, they will return to their Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga for their final stretch of games after a long period of playing home fixtures away from home. 

The stadium had been under renovation since the start of the season, forcing them to relocate to the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha.

Mwambusi hopes that the return to familiar territory will inspire his team to turn things around in the season’s closing stages.

Today’s encounter, however, presents a significant test. Coastal Union must dig deep to contain a Young Africans side that has scored at will and conceded very little. 

For Mwambusi, the task is clear: halt Young Africans’ momentum and restore belief in a squad that once aimed for continental competition but now fights for survival.