Mkwasa names team to face Nigeria in final group match

Dar es Salaam. The national soccer team (Taifa Stars) head coach Charles Mkwasa has called up 20 players for their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) match against Nigeria on September 3.
In his latest selection, Mkwasa, whose team has no chance of qualifying for the finals, has dropped some household names due injuries and drop in form.
TP Mazembe striker Thomas Ulimwengu and Young Africans right back Abdul Mohammed have been left out due to injuries while Simba SC midfielder Mwinyi Kazimoto has been dropped for his form.
Yanga forward Simon Msuva won his place back into the Taifa Stars fold after missing the previous match.  Muzamil Yassin of Simba, who will likely replace Kazimoto, is among the new faces called up for the Nigeria trip.
Other new faces are David Mwantika (Azam FC), Jamal Mnyate, (Simba SC), Vincent Andrew and Haji Mwinyi (Yanga).
Mkwasa told reporters yesterday that players will converge on Sunday in preparation for the match, which is a mere formality for both sides.
“This is a dead rubber, but it is important for us as far as Fifa ranking is concerned. A win over Nigeria will certainly earn us many Fifa points,” said the former Yanga and Taifa Stars defender.
“We are unfortunate to lose Ulimwengu and Abdul, but I hope those who will deputise will rise up to the challenge.” Tanzania is placed 124th in this month’s ranking while Nigeria occupies the 67th position.  
Stars forced a 1-1 draw in their first leg match at the National Stadium, but playing Nigeria presents a tricky test for the Mkwasa’s men.
“We played them here and managed to earn a point, but the forthcoming match will be trickier,” he said.
Nigeria are expected to field most of their Under-23 players who are fresh from winning a bronze medal at the recently concluded Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Tanzania trails in group G with a point as Egypt tops the table with 10 points followed by Nigeria with two.