Young Africans vs CFFA: Official lineups, team news and where to watch for CAF Champions League Clash

Live 50’ CAF Champions League

CFFA

0

:

Young Africans

2

Tanzanian champions Young Africans SC face Madagascar's CFFA at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam on Saturday in the first leg of the 2026 /27 CAF Champions League second preliminary round.

Read Also: From Juba to Finland: Pundit explains why Salah's artificial turf decisions were not contradictory

Home advantage across both legs in Dar es Salaam

Although Saturday's fixture is officially designated as CFFA's home match, both legs of the tie will take place in Tanzania at the Azam Complex in Chamazi following an agreement between the two clubs.

The arrangement gives Young Africans, popularly known as "Wananchi", the significant advantage of playing in front of their home supporters across both encounters.

Under the guidance of experienced South African head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, Young Africans enter the tie eager to bounce back from last week's 2-1 domestic Kariakoo Derby defeat against arch-rivals Simba SC.

The Tanzanian champions are targeting a fourth consecutive appearance in the CAF Champions League group stage after edging Botswana's Gaborone United 3-2 on aggregate in the first preliminary round.

Meanwhile, CFFA, led by coach Rajaonarisamba, are aiming to pull off a major upset and build on the defensive resilience they showed in the opening round where they eliminated Lesotho champions Lijabatho 3-1 on aggregate following a 2-0 first-leg victory and a 1-1 draw in the return fixture.

Kick-Off times and match schedule

Saturday's first leg will take place at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam, with kick off scheduled across Africa as follows:

• Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali (GMT): 12:00 PM, Azam Complex (Dar es Salaam)
• Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Cameroon: 1:00 PM, Azam Complex (Dar es Salaam)
• Egypt, Tanzania, Madagascar, Sudan, South Africa: 3:00 PM, Azam Complex (Dar es Salaam)

Team news: Aziz Ki returns as Abuya misses out

Rapid medical and tactical developments at Young Africans' training base in Avic Town have shaped Mngqithi's matchday plans:

• Goalkeeper Fitness Test: First choice Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra missed the team's final training session. A final decision on his participation will be made following a late pre-match medical assessment, with Abdutwalib Mshery ready to deputize between the posts
  
• Confirmed Absence: Kenyan midfielder Duke Abuya is officially ruled out for three weeks after sustaining an injury during the derby loss to Simba SC
  
• Key Returns: Young Africans are boosted by the return of Burkinabé playmaker Stephane Aziz Ki and international defender Dickson Job, while right-back Israel Patrick Mwenda rejoins the squad after resolving an administrative issue

Young Africans lineup and tactical outlook

Mngqithi is set to deploy his side in a 4-3-3 formation:

• Goalkeeper: Abdutwalib Mshery
  
• Defenders: Kouassi Attohoula Yao, Ibrahim Hamad "Bacca", Oumar Komara, Mohamed Hussein "Tshabalala"
  
• Midfielders: Fred Duval Ngoma, Mudathir Yahya, Maxi Nzengeli
  
• Forwards: Albert Kangwanda, Peter Shalulile, Cheikh Ibrahima Touré

Substitutes: Masalanga, Chadrack Boka, Kazimoto, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Salum Abubakar "Sureboy", Juma Issa Abushiri, Aziz Andabwile, Stephane Aziz Ki, Selemani Mwalimu

On the opposite touchline, CFFA are expected to set up in a compact 4-5-1 or 5-4-1 defensive block.

The Malagasy side will look to congest central spaces to neutralize Young Africans' creative trio of Aziz Ki, Pacôme Zouzoua and Maxi Nzengeli while relying on direct long balls and rapid transitions into the spaces vacated by the Tanzanian side's advancing full-backs.

Where to watch the match across Africa

Because centralized CAF broadcast rights officially begin in the group stage, television coverage for the second preliminary round is managed individually through the host broadcasters:

• Tanzania, East and Central Africa: Fans in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi and Zambia can watch the match live and exclusively on Azam TV via Azam Sports 1 HD or Azam Sports 2 HD
  
• Madagascar: Supporters can follow the game through the Azam TV satellite package, as well as on Malagasy national television (TVM) should a shared broadcast feed from Dar es Salaam be activated
  
• Egypt, North Africa and Rest of Africa: The preliminary tie will not be broadcast on beIN Sports in the MENA region. Viewers across the continent can stream the match live in high definition via the AzamTV MAX app with a digital subscription while Young Africans will provide live match updates and behind the scenes coverage on the official Yanga App, Yanga TV on YouTube and the club's social media platforms.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

Related teams and leagues

CFFA

Young Africans

CAF Champions League