Yanga Is Well Prepared To Deal With Sharks Attack- Ajibu

DAR ES SAALAM, Tanzania- Yanga SC captain Ibrahim Ajibu on Monday stated that his team is prepared to withstand the Shark attack from their Kenyan opponents as they begin their quest to win the 2019 SportPesa Cup.

Yanga, who currently lead the Tanzanian Premier League standings, will battle it out against Kariobangi Sharks FC tomorrow at the National Main Stadium from 4:15 PM.

The match will be the second of the opening day as last season’s SportPesa Premier League runners-up Bandari FC are set to get the ball rolling against Singida United F.C. at 2PM.

Ajibu was speaking to SportPesa News after a training session at their customary Police Grounds on Monday morning and insisted that they are ready to deal with the threat posed by Sharks.

“We have been preparing well and there is no doubt that everyone is ready for the big game tomorrow.

“I know they are confident but we have home advantage and we just need to play according to our plan, the rest will fall into place,” Ajibu stated.

Both teams were unlucky to be knocked out in the quarterfinal round of last years edition at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, with Yanga bowing out after losing 3-1 to Kenyan side Kakamega Homeboyz FC.

Sharks on the other hand were made to pay the penalty, going down 5-4 on spot kicks after their game against losing finalists  Simba SC failed to produce a goal during regulation time.

Good performance

“This is a new tournament and we are well equipped to deal with all that cost us during the last edition of the SportPesa Cup.

“Sharks is a good team but we know we have what it takes to win. We are going into the game with one objective, which is to win,” Ajibu underlined.

Yanga lead the TPL standings with 50 points, ten ahead of their closest competition whilst Sharks are in third in their domestic league, as they continue their hunt for a maiden SPL title to add onto the SportPesa Shield trophy they won last season.

Yanga come into the tournament with a new manager as compared to their last regional outing under George Lwandamina as Congolese Zahera Mwinyi now sitting at the helm.

“My time with the club has been great and I’m very happy with the calibre of players that I have.

“This tournament is a great opportunity and we are prepared to put on a good performance, one game at a time,” Mwinyi underscored.

“I urge all our fans to come out in large numbers to show us their support because we need it as we prepare to take on Sharks,” Ajibu added.