Taifa Stars all set for Afcon duel against Algeria

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's national football team's (Taifa Stars) foreign-based players have joined the team’s residential camp ahead of tomorrow’s do-or-die Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) match against Algeria.

The players are Abdi Banda, who plays for Richards Bay FC of South Africa; Novatus Miroshi (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine); Himid Mao (Tala’ea El Gaish, Egypt); Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Town, England); Ben Starkie (Basford United, England); and the team captain, Mbwana Samatta, who plays for Paok FC of Greece.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Information Officer Clifford Ndimbo said players have joined the team in Annaba ahead of the encounter.

He said that Simon Msuva, who plays for JS Kabyline of Algeria, was the first foreign-based player to join the team camp in Tunisia.

"All players are in top morale ahead of the encounter and target the best results. There has been no injury so far, and the players are happy in the camp," said Ndimbo.

The match has been scheduled to start at 10 pm. at the Stade 19 Mai 1956, Annaba, Algeria, and will be officiated by Benin referee Djindo Louis Houngandane, who will be at the centre.

The match assistants’ referees are Eric Ayimavo Ayamr Ulric, also from Benin, and Jonathan Ahonto Koffi of Togo, while the fourth official is Issa Mouhamed from Benin.

The encounters will be under the commissionership of Boussairi Boujlel of Tunisia, while Niger's Issaka Boubacar is the referee assessor.

Also on the list of match officials are Azeddine Arab of Algeria, who is the medical officer, and the pre-match ceremony coordinator, Algerian Youcef Koudri.

Taifa Stars are placed second in group F and need three points in order to join the leaders, Algeria, ahead of the Afcon finals in Cote d’Ivoire.

Algeria have so far collected 15 points, while the Stars are second with seven points. Other teams in the group are Uganda, with four points, and Niger, with two points.

If Taifa Stars win or record a draw over Algeria, they will book space in the Afcon finals next year.

Apart from foreign-based players, other team members are goalkeepers: Beno Kakolanya (Singida FG), Metacha Mnata (Yanga), and Erick Johora (Geita Gold). Defenders: Bakari Mwamnyeto (Yanga), Ibrahim Bacca (Yanga), Dickson Job (Yanga), and Kennedy Juma (Simba). Midfielders: Mzamiru Yassin (Simba), Jonas Mkude (Yanga), Abdulmalik Zakaria (Namungo), Sospeter Bajana (Azam), Mudathir Yahya (Yanga), and Lameck Lawi (Coastal Union).

Strikers: Clement Mzize (Yanga), Kibu Denis (Simba), and John Bocco (Simba).