Mkwasa casts net on fired up Under 17 boys for Senior Cup

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Mainland national soccer team Kilimanjaro Stars may use some of the fired-up U-17 players for the Senior Challenge Cup.

The youngsters have been at the centre of attention following their brilliant performance in the ongoing African Youths Championships. “They are obviously an attractive package at the moment -- the future backbone of the national soccer team, Taifa Stars,” Taifa Stars head coach Charles Mkwasa said yesterday.

But Cecafa’s tough rules and regulations will force the Tanzanian side to mix the players.

Mkwasa said the idea was to expose the buoyant Under-17 boys to a more competitive tournament, after proving to be a hard nut to crack in the African Youths Championships.

“Their appearance in major international competitions has not been just a show, they have been yielding desired results. So, they are a talent we have to nurture, we are proud of them,” said Mkwasa.

The Taifa Stars head coach said he was also interested in bringing in Tanzanian soccer export Saidi Mhando Carte, who is featuring for Italian Serie B side, Brescia. Mkwasa said the young star’s father had told him his son wanted to play for his nation. “We have been engaged in communications to bring him in, and because of his age, it will be better for him to feature for the youth teams and later Taifa Stars, if he proves he is of the standards we desire for the national team,” said Mkwasa.

The 19-year-old was born and raised in Italy, which means some paperwork to regularise his involvement with the home side.

“We have to get a clear position position on his citizenship status though, whethere or not he is Tanzanian. We are working with his father, who will let us now very soon,” said Mkwasa. Saidi Mhando Carte was born to a Somali mother.

The East and Central Africa Football Association’s Senior Challenge Cup will take place in Sudan from November to December. Tanzania Mainland will be one of the 12 teams participating in the tournament.