Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Nasreddine Nabi believes they lost the Caf Confederation Cup final against USM Alger during the first-leg contest staged in Tanzania.
During the fixture at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, the Jangwani-based giants suffered a 2-1 defeat making it a difficult task to overturn the same in the return leg. Though they won the return leg 1-0 in Algiers, it was not enough as they lost the trophy on the away goals rule.
Nabi now says the defeat in Tanzania did the damage for his side adding the Algerians deserved the victory and fought well for it.
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“We lost the final in Dar es Salaam. We lost a bit of focus as this was the first time we were playing in a match of this magnitude. We were not used to being in such finals. We tried to make amends in the return match, but it was not possible,” Nabi said as quoted by The Citizen.
“USM Alger played well. We, however, lacked effectiveness in attack. We had several opportunities to score in the match, but we couldn’t utilise them.”
The Tunisian coach further took his time to praise USM for their achievement: “Congratulations to Alger on their victory,” he said adding: “I offer them my congratulations for this well-deserved title. It was a great final, and the atmosphere among the fans was wonderful. Just like any coach, I would like to win, but it was not possible for us tonight.”
Yanga’s first-choice goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra, was voted Man of the Match in Saturday’s match. Diarra saved a penalty in the game. By finishing second, Yanga pocketed $1 million (Sh2.4 billion) from the African football governing body, Caf.
Yanga also earned Sh20 million from Tanzania President Hassan Samia Suluhu, who pledged the amount for each goal the team scored in the two final matches.