Samatta: Stars will defy the odds against Uganda

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania national football team (Taifa Stars) captain Mbwana Samatta has said they are taking the Friday encounter against Uganda as the most crucial ahead of the qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Taifa Stars will be in action tomorrow against Uganda’s The Cranes at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt. The match is crucial because both teams will be searching for victory in order to improve their chances in the group F standings.

Taifa Stars are placed third with one point in group F log while Uganda are at the bottom with one point too. Algeria are at the top with six points while Niger are second with two points.

As per the CAF fixture, another match will see Algeria hosting Niger.

Samatta said they are aware of the importance of registering victories in their remaining matches in order to qualify for the Ivory Coast finals.

He explained that although Uganda are a tough team with a good record against Tanzania, they will prove their worth by registering victory in the encounter.

“It is going to be a tough match because even Uganda will be targeting victory in order to qualify for the Afcon finals in Ivory Coast. We are ready for the encounter and are hopeful of shining with victory,” said Samatta.

According to the Taifa Stars skipper, nothing is impossible in the game and records show that Tanzania won 1-0 over Uganda in Libya during the special international friendly match.

“I am sure that we will shine in the game to improve our chances in the group standings,” he insisted.

Records show that the two teams have played 19 matches out of which, Uganda have recorded 12 victories against Tanzania’s three wins and four matches ended in a draw.

The records also show that at the home stadium, Uganda won six out of 10 matches while Tanzania registered one victory and three games ended in a draw.

At away venues, nine matches were played and Uganda won six against Tanzania’s two and one game ended in a draw. In international friendlies, Uganda won one match and Tanzania as well and they drew once.

Meanwhile, CAF has announced Mauritius referee Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall to be at the centre in the encounter. Heeralall will be assisted by Ram Babajee of Mauritania and Jean Marc Pithia of Mauritius and the fourth official will be Ganesh Chutooree also from Mauritius.