KAIZER Chiefs can look forward to facing a sharpened Young Africans side next weekend after the Tanzanians gave Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg their money’s worth in their opening match of the inaugural Mpumalanga Premier’s International Cup in Mbombela yesterday.
Augsburg beat the Tanzanian giants 2-1 with goals from Mads Pedersen and Phillip Tietz in either half, before Jean Beleke scored Africans’ consolation goal.
The result was a cherry on top for Augsburg as they got a worthy opponent in ‘Yanga’ who gave them something to think about from start to finish.
In fact, before Pedersen’s goal in the opening stanza, the east African side had the first real chance as Maxi Nzengeli struck the bar.
That wasn’t Yanga’s only chance as Nzengeli and Aziz had been a thorn in the flesh of Augsburg’s defence, either with shots at goal or pace.
A goal for Yanga in the first half would have stung for the German side, who had a bright start, only to be stopped in their tracks by some brilliant goalkeeping by Diarra.
The towering goalkeeper had to be at his best in the first half when he played against new boys Steve Mounie and Samuel Essende.
The duo didn’t have much, though, as Augsburg were largely threatening from the sides or set-pieces, where they held an aerial advantage.
Yanga seemed as though they’d burst into life early in the second half as they threatened with Ki and Nzengele, who also took shots at goal from distance.
But as the half progressed, Augsburg doused the fire that Yanga were starting to stoke with some possession-based football in search of a double and comfort.
That came through some slick build-up which ended with Tietz calmly slotting home from close range as they looked to wrap up the game in style.
Substitute Beleke, though, gave the German team something to think about as he halved the deficit in the latter stages before Yanga searched for the equaliser that never came.
Augsburg face hosts TS Galaxy in their final match on Saturday here in Mbombela, while Yanga face Kaizer Chiefs in the Toyota Cup in Bloemfontein on the same day.
For the German side, it’s been a rewarding first-ever pre-season camp outside of Europe, and they’ll hope they enjoy their next few days in the Mpumalanga capital.
Not that they have no reason not to. After all, they’ll launch their kit for the new season here in the Kruger National Park, while continuing to enjoy the lush training facilities of Anew Resort.