Record Tanzania league winners, Dar Young Africans (Yanga) SC captain Deus Kaseke is hoping his side meets holders Gor Mahia FC in the 2019 SportPesa Cup that kicks off on January 22.
Yanga- who have a yawning 10-point lead over the competition in the Vodacom Premier League (VPL) as they chase their record-extending 28th domestic title- take on SportPesa Shield winners Kariobangi Sharks FC of Kenya in the quarterfinal of the eight-team regional knock out tournament on January 22.
A Yanga victory over Sharks-who will be playing in their second successive edition-will set up a potentially mouth-watering semi final against Gor who will open their defence against first timers Mbao FC of Tanzania on January 23.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Kaseke who led his team to a shocking 1-3 defeat in the quarters of last year’s edition to Kakamega Homeboyz FC in Nakuru, Kenya maintained their momentum this season could propel them to a first SP Cup crown on January 27.
To do he added, they must get the better of the Kenyan giants who have won the last two editions of the tournament.
“Before leaving for the SP Cup, we have come from playing the final of the FA Cup and our new head coach continued with the same squad and consistency has been the key to our success.
“Yanga has good players with experience in featuring in big tournaments and I believe we shall perform well,” Kaseke told in Dar.
Yanga are aching to get a piece of Gor after the SportPesa Premier League champions did the double over them in the 2018 CAF Confederations Cup when the regional giants were grouped together in Pool D of the second tier continental competition.