Gallants’ Mdaka optimistic of reaching Caf Cup final despite loss

Despite their loss to Young Africans FC, Marumo Gallants coach Raymond Mdaka remains optimistic that they will reach the final of the Caf Confederation Cup.

READ MORE: Gallants rue missed chances as Young Africans grab Confed Cup advantage

Gallants lost 2-0 to Yanga in the first leg of the semi-final clash at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday.

“What a game, it’s just that we lost it. But we feel like it is not a game that we should have lost. We got chances, and we missed four chances in a row which were clear goal-scoring opportunities. They got two chances and scored two goals, all in the second half,” said the Gallants mentor.

“But looking at the game, it is one game which we felt was not difficult. It is just that we could not finish our chances. On that basis, we still feel that we are still (in the tournament). We have to play the second leg at home. But in terms of play, it is a game where we feel like we can come back and win the game.”

Mdaka also said that he missed some of his key players in the clash against Yanga and that he will make some changes in the return leg, and he wants his team to stay solid at the back to increase their chances of reaching the Confed Cup final.

ALSO READ: Mokwena wants Sundowns to ‘enjoy’ Champions League chance

Gallants will host Yanga in the second leg on Wednesday next week.

“There were some players who were not there. Remember Celimpilo Ngema was not there, Lesiba Nku was not there, Lebogang Mabotja was also not there because of the injuries. We hope that they will be available when we play at home.

“We were once in this situation when we played USM Alger. And they looked better than the team we played (Young Africans), not undermining. But for us, we just have to get an early goal to unsettle them and put them under pressure. Get a second goal and make sure that we don’t concede, we definitely feel that we have a chance to reach the final,” concluded the Gallants coach.