Zimbabwean Donald Ngoma has been one of the key performers for Tanzania champions, Young Africans in their continental campaign this term.

Winless at the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup so far, Ngoma’s three goals so far has played a pivotal role as Yanga reached the mini-league stage of a major continental club championship for the first time since 1998.

Yanga are due to face Algerian side MO Bejaia in the penultimate Group A fixture on Saturday in Dar es Salaam in search of a win that could turnaround their fortunes. Ahead of the match, Ngoma talks about life at Yanga and his plans for the future.

Below are excerpts of his interview with CAFOnline.com;

Cafonline.com: How do you feel to be part of the Young Africans squad involved in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for the first time?

Daniel Ngoma: It is amazing for me and the team too. We have worked too hard to achieve this. We had tough fixtures but managed to get along in the competition and also win the league. I’m very pleased with our performance.

You scored the consolidation goal for Yanga when they lost 2-1 to Al Ahly (at the 1/8th round of the CAF Champions League). Are you aware it was the first goal by Yanga on Egyptian soil in more than 20 years?

We needed a goal to be back in the game after Al Ahly has taken the lead. I felt great that my goal brought Yanga back into the game but the late goal by Ahly took away my happiness. I don’t even want to remember it.

You found the target against each of the top five teams in the Tanzanian league. How did you manage it?

As you know it was my first season in Tanzania and I didn’t know much about the teams. Sometimes, I got to know it was a big game at the end of the match. The good thing is I was brought here to score goals and that’s my duty. Though sometimes I fail to do that, I don’t give up.

How do you compare Yanga to former club, FC Platinum?

Yanga is a big team compared to FC Platinum, and very competitive. Most of the players here are full-grown and take responsibilities seriously. They also recruit quality players. At FC Platinum, most players were locally-based and young, and life was different. It was a challenge playing there (FC Platinum).

How did you end up at Yanga?

Actually, I had a plan to find a team outside Africa but I ended up here. FC Platinum played Yanga in the CAF Confederation Cup (1/16th round) last year (2015). I could not feature in the first game because I was indisposed. In the second leg, I did my best and scored the winner for my team (1-0), but we lost 5-2 on aggregate. Soon after, Yanga coach, Hans Van der Pluijm called me and showed an interest he wanted to sign me, and I could not say no to the offer.

What has been the influence of compatriot Thaban Kamusoko on your life at Yanga since he joined?

It is true that when Kamusoko joined, my performance has soared. We played together at FC Platinum for years so it was easy to combine our efforts in a game. In short, Kamusoko is experienced and has helped us a lot in the local and international games.

What has been your observation about the rivalry between Yanga and Simba?

I had no pressure playing the derby because I had played many big games before. All in all, the derby here (Tanzania) is amazing. A lot of fans and huge support, I really enjoyed it.

You are left with a year on your contract with Yanga. Are you considering an extension?

I want to wait till my contract comes to an end. I have other plans too. I did not come to Tanzania to stay for good. I wish to be somewhere and I’m working on it. I will be in a good position to say something when the contract is over.

Fixtures

Group A

13.08.2016    Young Africans (Tanzania) vs MO Bejaia (Algeria)

14.08.2016    Medeama (Ghana) vs TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

Group B

12.08.2016    Ahly Tripoli (Libya) vs FUS Rabat (Morocco)

12.08.2016    Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) vs Kawkab Marrakech (Morocco)