Former TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic is facing a tough start to continental competition, with his new team, Young Africans, experiencing consecutive defeats in a challenging Group A of the CAF Champions League.

In their opening match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Ramovic’s side endured a 2-0 loss to Sudanese giant Al Hilal Omdurman, under the management of Florent Ibenge. They followed that setback with another 2-0 defeat against Algerian champions MC Algiers on Saturday.

This disheartening beginning leaves the Tanzanian club in a precarious position, sitting at the bottom of the group with no goals scored and four conceded, fueling their desire to secure points to boost their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds.

Young Africans will be back in action for a daunting encounter against DR Congo’s TP Mazembe at Stade TP Mazembe on December 14, a team they have successfully faced twice during the 2022/23 CAF Confederations Cup group phase.

In other continental action, Elias Mokwana’s Esperance de Tunis settled for a 0-0 draw against the formidable Sagrada Esperanca in Luanda, Angola, on Friday, following a strong start to their campaign with a 4-0 win over Mali’s Djoliba AC.

With Esperance currently on four points, Pyramids will aim for their second victory to take the lead in Group D ahead of their match against the Malian team on Sunday, following a convincing 5-1 triumph over Esperanca in the opening round.

Additionally, Khanyisa Mayo’s CR Belouizdad has narrowed the gap on both Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates after achieving their first victory of the season with a 1-0 win at Stade d’Abidjan on Saturday, with the former Cape Town City player participating for the entire match.

Despite a draw against the Pirates, the reigning African champions maintain their position at the top of Group C, benefiting from a superior goal difference, as both teams sit level on four points, while the Algerian powerhouses occupy third place after two matches.

In another development, Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves in an unanticipated position, still on the hunt for their first win after kicking off their campaign with a 0-0 draw against AS Maniema Union at home, followed by a 1-1 tie with FAR Rabat on Saturday.

As it stands, the Brazilians sit second in Group B, having collected two points from two games, while leaders Rabat boast four points, courtesy of a 2-0 win over Raja Casablanca in their opening match.