Tanzanian side Yanga SC faced a frustrating start to their stay in South Africa after the team’s designated transport, provided by hosts Mamelodi Sundowns, broke down just 5 kilometres from OR Tambo International Airport.
Young Africans arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesday morning after taking a 7:00 am flight from Dar es Salaam. Their plan was to swiftly proceed to their Pretoria hotel after landing. However, their journey hit a snag when the bus provided by Sundowns malfunctioned just a short distance from the airport.
Yanga officials, with the help of their Embassy in Pretoria, had to arrange alternative transport for the players to be ferried to their hotel.
The reigning Tanzania champions are in Pretoria for the CAF Champions League quarter-final clash against Sundowns. The two clubs clashed in Dar es Salaam for the first-leg encounter on Saturday, which ended 0-0.
Sundowns host the Jangwani giants at Loftus Stadium on Friday night in a match that will decide who proceeds to the semi-final. Kick off for the encounter is 8 pm.
QUARTET PART OF TRAVELING PARTY
Meanwhile, the quartet of Pacome Zouzoua, Kouassi Attohoula Yao, Ugandan midfield enforcer Khalid Aucho, and Tanzanian international Kibwana Shomari were all part of the travelling party. They all missed the first leg due to injury.
Miguel Gamondi will be hoping to have them for the reverse encounter as they look to cause an upset in Pretoria.
In the first leg, Sundowns were without suspended captain Themba Zwane. The Bafana Bafana talisman is available for the return leg on Friday.
Abdelmounaim Boutouil and Rivaldo Coetzee were also sidelined. The Moroccan, Boutouil, is nursing a groin injury with Coetzee ruled out due to an undisclosed injury.
Downs were forced to make an early change in the first half. The Tshwane giants subbed in Aubrey Modiba for the injured Bongani Zungu. It remains unclear whether Zungu will be fit to play the return leg.
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