Tanzanians will tomorrow rally behind the national women’s soccer team, Twiga Stars, when they face their Namibian counterparts at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.The return leg match is one of ten fixtures that are on the menu at different venues across the continent to mark the end of the preliminary round of the 8th Africa Women’s Championship qualifiers.

Twiga Stars have been regular participants in this high-profile tournament, and many expect a good result in tomorrow’s match.A win will be a big step for Tanzania towards qualifying for the finals and eventually going for the big prize later this year.

Tomorrow’s match comes at a time when Tanzanians are still coming to terms with local teams’ dismal performances in various competitions last year. They, therefore, bank on Twiga Stars for some psychological reprieve.
Having beaten Namibia 2-0 in the first leg match in Windhoek two weeks ago, Twiga Stars need just a draw to remain in contention for a place in the finals scheduled for November in Equatorial Guinea.  

They will be through even if they lose 1-0, but our hope is they will aim for another comfortable win.The reason why coach Boniface Mkwasa should instruct his players to go for jugular right from the start is that Namibia are no pushovers. Indeed, they are a good team as those who watched them in the first leg match can attest.

It is believed, and rightly so, that fans are the 12th player for the home side. Thus we should not just sit back and wait to pour vitriol on the team after the match, but to cheer them on right from the first whistle.Despite playing at home, it won’t help Twiga Stars if fans just sit back and watch the game, cheering them on only when they venture into their opponents’ territory or score a goal.All the best, Twiga Stars!

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