Marumo Gallants have a mountain to climb in salvaging their CAF Confederations Cup fairy-tale when they welcome Young Africans in their semi-final second leg clash at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday.
Gallants must overturn a two-goal deficit after falling short in the first leg, losing the game 2-0 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last week.
The South Africans have a tough task at hand as they will be going up against a revved-up Young Africans side, who were crowned the Tanzania Premier League champions for a record 29th time at the weekend.
Coach Raymond Mdaka believes his side has what it takes to go all the way to the final and getting an early goal will set the tone of the game.
“We were once in this situation against USM Alger, and we went there and they [USM Alger] were a better side than the team than Yanga, and I’m not undermining them,” Mdaka said.
“We feel we still can make it and for us it’s just to get an early goal. Obviously, it will unsettle them and put them under pressure and as long as we don’t concede, we will definitely have a chance to get to the final.”
Yanga, as they are affectionately known, will also fancy their chances of reaching the Confederations Cup final, as their two-goal advantage may be enough to take them through.
The likes of winger Lesiba Nku, Lebogang Mabotja and midfielder Celimpilo Ngema will be expected to return to the team and shake things off.
It will be make or break for Gallants, as elimination will add to their relegation troubles in the DStv Premiership.
The Limpopo-based outfit are currently languishing just outside the relegation zone with 29 points, tied with Chippa United and bottom of the log Maritzburg United.
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