YOUNG Africans SC have declared that they won't rely on past victories against TP Mazembe as motivation for their crucial CAF Champions League Group A clash tomorrow at Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, DR Congo.

The Sead Ramovic-coached side has struggled to find consistency lately, registering only one win in their last five matches across all competitions. 

The team departed for Lubumbashi yesterday and was scheduled to train upon arrival and again today to prepare for tomorrow's high-stakes match.

In the 2022/23 CAF Confederations Cup Group D, Young Africans defeated TP Mazembe 1-0 in an away match, with Farid Mussa scoring the decisive goal. They had also secured a 3-1 victory in the earlier group stage match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. 

Despite these results, the Tanzanian champions stress that they are not dwelling on past performances.

“The match against TP Mazembe is incredibly challenging. Focusing on past records isn't beneficial, as they've evolved significantly in the last two seasons,” said Ali Kamwe, Young Africans’ Media and Information Manager. 

“Their performances against MC Alger and Al Hilal demonstrate their threat. They're determined to bounce back, just like we are.”

Young Africans face a tough test as both teams aim to recover from recent defeats. Young Africans suffered a 2-0 loss to MC Alger in their previous match, while TP Mazembe fell 2-1 to Al Hilal Omdurman. 

Al Hilal currently lead Group A with six points, followed by MC Alger with four points. Both teams will also meet tomorrow in another critical encounter.

Kamwe noted that TP Mazembe have undergone significant changes, including new players, coaching staff, and a different playing style compared to their previous encounters. 

In the DR Congo Linafoot league, TP Mazembe currently lead Group A with an impressive record: six wins, one draw, and one loss in eight games, amassing 19 points.

“We approach this match with immense respect for TP Mazembe while aiming to return to winning ways. Our fans have shown incredible support by organizing trips to Lubumbashi to cheer us on. This dedication should inspire our players to fight for the badge,” Kamwe added. 

“Our squad is almost complete, with only Chadrack Boka missing due to injury.”

Young Africans find themselves in a precarious position in the CAF Champions League, having failed to score a single goal in their first two matches - a record they share with Djoliba AC Bamako of Mali. 

They suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Al Hilal Omdurman and a similar loss away to MC Alger. The back-to-back losses have left Young Africans at the bottom of Group A.

Coach Ramovic (pictured) faces the daunting task of addressing both defensive and attacking shortcomings to revive his team’s performance. 

Tomorrow’s match against TP Mazembe is pivotal for the Jangwani Street giants. A positive result could reignite their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals. 

Following this double-header against TP Mazembe, Young Africans will face Al Hilal away and host MC Alger in their final two group stage matches.