Optimism abounds as Stars eye 2019 Nations Cup berth

Dar es Salaam. The national soccer team players are confident that they can finally show their true colours tomorrow and beat Uganda Cranes to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

Football fever has built over the last few weeks as Taifa Stars gun for their first appearance at the Afcon finals in nearly four decades.

Much of the younger generation is hoping to taste the same euphoria their parents knew 39 years ago, when Stars made their first ever appearance at the Afcon finals in Nigeria

“They’ve talked so much about 1980, but I wasn’t even born. We’re going to make a new 1980!” said 35-year-old defender Aggrey Morris.

Taifa Stars are among 21 countries hoping to fill one of 10 places up for grabs this weekend in the final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

They will be among the 24 finalists in Egypt in June provided they beat Uganda Cranes in the Group L clash at National Stadium, and Lesotho lose to Cape Verde.

Uganda Cranes have booked their passage to the finals with an unbeaten record, and outstanding veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango has kept five clean sheets.

Lesotho lie second despite only one win and three goals from five outings and victory in Cape Verde will take the Crocodiles to the finals for the first time.

If Cape Verde triumph, they will qualify unless unpredictable Taifa Stars obtain maximum points at home to Uganda in an east Africa showdown

Morris said they were in high spirits, looking forward to turning tables on Uganda Cranes. The match kicks off at 7pm.

Goalkeeper Aishi Manula had similar views, adding that they will give the Ugandans a real run for their money in the eagerly awaited encounter.

In the first leg, the two teams battled to a barren draw in Kampala, Uganda, last year.

“We know that Tanzanians expect nothing short of a win from us. We will, therefore, be all out for a victory,” he said.

He asked soccer fans to turn up at the 60,000-seater venue in large numbers to cheer the team.

Taifa Stars sit third in the group with five points.

Second-placed Lesotho also have five points but they are ahead on goal difference, while Cape Verde are at the bottom with four points.

Group C

Gabon must win in Bujumbura to prevent Burundi creating history and the return of Arsenal star Aubameyang is a timely boost for the underperforming Panthers.

Group D

Benin, Togo and the Gambia have varying chances of joining already-qualified Algeria at the biennial African football showcase.

Group G

Leaders Zimbabwe, Liberia, the DR Congo and bottom-place Congo Brazzaville are all contenders for two places.