‘Cannavaro’ returns to Taifa Stars fold
Nadir Haroub celebrates after scoring during a past match at the National Stadium. The defender is expected to come out of his self-imposed retirement. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
Taifa Stars head coach Charles Mkwasa has reinstated centre-back Nadir Haroub who had announced his retirement in January.
Dar es Salaam. Taifa Stars head coach Charles Mkwasa has reinstated centre-back Nadir Haroub who had announced his retirement in January.
The Zanzibar-born defender called it time a few days after Mkwasa stripped him of the captaincy in favour of striker Mbwana Samatta.
However, with Kelvin Yondani ruled out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt, Mkwasa opted to recall Haroub alias Cannavaro out of his self-imposed retirement.
Yondani has two yellow cards, thus he will be ineligible for the match against the Pharaohs, which will be played at the National Stadium on June 4. The 26-player national team will face Kenya in a strength testing match on May 29 in Nairobi. Mkwasa also recalled goalkeeper Deo Munishi (Yanga) and dropped Ali Mustafa (Yanga). Defenders Aggrey Morris (Azam) and David Mwantika (Azam) also returned to the Taifa Stars fold. Tanzania Prisons shot-stopper Ben Kakolanya and striker Jeremiah Juma form part of the new faces that Mkwasa has summoned. Others are Vincent Andrew (Mtibwa Sugar), Ismail Issa (JKU), Juma Mahadhi (Coastal Union) and Hassan Kabunda (Mwadui FC). “This group has a mixture of experienced players and those eyeing their first caps. We hope that Kenya will provide a perfect test of our team before facing Egypt a few days later,” said Mkwasa.
Goalkeepers: Munishi (Yanga), Aishi Manula (Azam FC), Kakolanya (Tanzania Prisons).
Defenders: Nadir Haroub, Juma Abdul (Yanga), Aggrey Morris, David Mwantika , Erasto Nyoni (Azam), Mohamed Hussein (Simba), Vincent Andrew (Mtibwa Sugar).
Midfielders: Himid Mao, Farid Mussa (Azam), Shiza Kichuya, Mohamed Ibrahim (Mtibwa Sugar), Jonas Mkude, Mwinyi Kazimoto (Simba), Ismail Issa (JKU), Juma Mahadhi (Coastal Union), Hassan Kabunda (Mwadui FC).
Strikers: Deus Kaseke (Yanga), Thomas Ulimwengu (TP Mazembe), Samatta (KRC Genk), Elius Maguli (Stand United), Ibrahim Hajibu (Simba), John Bocco (Azam) and Jeremiah Juma (Tanzania Prisons).
