GU face uphill task in Tanzania
Larona Makhaiza | Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:08
The two sides played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the National Stadium on Saturday, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of the return fixture in Dar es Salaam. GU looked set to secure a famous home victory after taking the lead in the first half through Obrey Amseb's free kick.
However, that hope faded when Yanga struck deep into stoppage time through Selemani Mwalimo to secure a draw and take a crucial away result back to East Africa.
The result means Sean Connor's men now face the daunting task of trying to eliminate one of Tanzania's biggest clubs on their own turf.
However, Connor remains confident that Moyagoleele can produce the result required to progress.
The Irishman believes Yanga have weaknesses that GU can exploit, insisting that his charges will not travel to Tanzania merely to defend.
“There are areas where Yanga make mistakes, and we will look to exploit them in Tanzania,” he said.
Connor had already warned before the first leg that the contest would be decided by fine margins, urging his players to maximise every opportunity that comes their way.
“We need to maximise any opportunity that comes our way. I have been talking to players all week that games like these are down to details in big moments,” the coach added.
Connor has also drawn inspiration from the late former South African president Nelson Mandela, saying, “Nelson Mandela said everything seems impossible until it is done”.
Yanga will enjoy home advantage and the backing of their passionate supporters, but their failure to kill off GU in Gaborone means the Tanzanian giants still have some work to do.
For GU, the challenge will be to remain disciplined, absorb the expected pressure and take advantage of opportunities on the counter.
Connor and his charges now face 90 minutes that could define their continental campaign.
A win in Tanzania would send GU into the next round, while a draw could force the tie into further drama depending on the aggregate score.
For Yanga, Manqoba Mngithi has promised that his side will go all out in the fixture to claim the bragging rights on home soil as he intends to reach the group stages with his new side.
The return leg is scheduled for Saturday, with kickoff at 3pm Botswana time.