Despite his side contesting a tense encounter with Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League, Young Africans head coach Miguel Gamondi has admitted that his former club still holds a special place in his heart.
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The Argentinian tactician will be looking to make history this weekend as he hopes to lead Yanga to their first ever semi-final in African football’s premier club competition. The Tanzanian Mainland Premier League champions managed to keep Masandawana at bay during the first leg of their clash as the match ended 0-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Gamondi is now on the cusp of making history at his new team at the expense of his former side as he hopes to leave the South African capital with a place in the final four.
The Olavarria native was employed by Ka Bo Yellow first as an assistant to Angel Cappa, then was chosen to co-coach with Neil Tovey following his compatriot’s departure, as he led the club to a league championship during the 2005/06 season.
With a league title to his name, the 57-year-old claims that he feels that he has no point to prove facing a South African side, especially the reigning DStv Premiership holders.
“For me, no. I come here to represent Young Africans and to make the Tanzanian people proud,” Gamondi said in his pre-match press conference.
“I have very nice souvenirs from here and I love this country, because my first experience as a head coach with Sundowns I became a champion. I had a nice experience in Platinum Stars as well, even my last game at Loftus Versveld was against Sundowns.
“But I don’t compete against Sundowns tomorrow with a point to prove. For me, it’s never about us as individuals.
“Nobody is bigger than the team, and no name is more important than the club. What is important in this case is Young Africans.
“I will always be grateful to South Africa, even one of my children is born here, so I will never forget South Africa but now I am a professional and of course, I will be very happy if tomorrow we can make it to the semi-final, but not to prove a point to South Africa. It’s the opposite.
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“I cannot hide that I have a little place in my heart for Mamelodi Sundowns.”
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