YOUNG Africans SC’s quest of winning domestic double faces another test against Tabora United in the quarterfinal of the CRDB Bank Federation Cup.

With the NBC Premier League title almost in the bag, a semi-final place in the CRDB Bank Federation Cup will take Young Africans SC, alias Yanga, a step forward to winning a double.

The showdown’s defending champions head into this clash on the back of a narrow 1-0 victory against Coastal Union in the NBC Premier League clash that took place in Dar es Salaam last weekend.

As a result, head coach Miguel Gamondi’s men are unbeaten in their previous five matches across all competitions, losing just two of their last 25 encounters.

In the CRDB Bank Federation Cup Round of 64, Yanga thrashed non-league side Hausung FC 5-1 in the first game before crushing Championship League side, Polisi Tanzania, 5-0 in the round of 32 played last month.

In the CRDB Bank Federation Cup Round of 16, they beat Premier League outfit Dodoma Jiji FC 2-0 in the latter’s backyard.

Unbeaten in the Federation Cup since 2021, Gamondi’s men will back themselves to progress to the last four as they aim to secure another domestic double. 

Earlier this season, Yanga beat Tabora United 1-0 in a league game played at Jamhuri Stadium. It was the first top-flight meeting between the two sides.

Speaking ahead of the game, Gamondi emphasized the peril of knockout games but backed his side to get the needed result.

The Argentine remarked: “It is a quarterfinal cup game. Cup games are always different, they are special because it is all about 90 minutes. We expect to have a tough game, they come on the back of a great victory in their last cup game.”

“We play at home, it is good for us and we are ready to take another step in this cup. We are motivated,” he revealed.

“It is a long season with a lot of games but I think one of the best qualities of this team is unity. I am lucky to have these types of players who are hungry to play every game,” he stated.

Tabora United, on the other hand, faces the Herculean task of stopping Yanga’s march towards a third successive title.

Their path to the last eight has seen them defeat non-league outfits, Mondoli College FC and Nyamongo FC. They also beat Singida Fountain Gate FC 3-0 in the previous round. 

They head into this clash on the back of a goalless draw with Geita Gold  FC last weekend.

With six games left to play Tabora United finds itself sitting second bottom in a tough relegation battle.

Masoud Djuma, the outfit’s assistant coach, highlighted the gulf in quality between the two sides by acknowledging that Yanga is a side with everything needed to win a match.

The Burundian tactician revealed: “We know the importance of this fixture at a challenging time for the club. We are playing a side that has everything to win a game but this is a battle. It is not the league, everyone can do something in the Cup competition.”