It is time we started watching our own Stars in action at the Afcon and other major Africa football tournaments, beginning with the 2015 Afcon finals.
The national soccer team, Taifa Stars, face a stern challenge today when they host Mambas of Mozambique at the National Stadium in a crucial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) second round, first leg qualifier.
Yes, the Mozambicans come into the match as overwhelming favourites, given their status as one of Southern Africa’s top teams, as well as higher ranking than Tanzania over the years. They have an edge over us. But football across the continent and the world at large, continues to evolve and there is now a degree of truth to the belief that “there are no small teams in football anymore” as Zimbabwe’s Warriors found out in Dar es Salaam and Harare in the first round last month.
In fact, the Warriors did little in that round to suggest they were a superior outfit compared to our Stars. Our boys defied the odds to beat them 3-2 on aggregate and make it to the second round. That victory marked a promising start in the race for next year’s finals in Morocco.
And today, coach Mart Nooij’s men have a chance to show all and sundry they are far much better than their below-par-performance in past competitions suggested. As Stars seek to beat the Mambas, it is our duty as their supporters to give them the possible maximum support during today’s game. After all, we are tired of supporting other teams in the Afcon finals. Apart from the 1980 editions of Afcon, Stars fans have had to assume a temporary allegiance to other teams during the Nations Cup finals before then and thereafter, as Tanzania failed to qualify for all those tournaments.
It is time we started watching our own Stars in action at the Afcon and other major Africa football tournaments, beginning with the 2015 Afcon finals.
Refrain from booing
But the first step is to show full support to our team, regardless of who Nooij selects today. The best teams in the world thrive on the backing of the 12th man -- the supporters. We should refrain from booing our own players when they make a blind pass or a mistake. We should applaud and encourage them to put the Mambas to the sword come today. With our vociferous and unflinching support, the Stars can secure the victory they need to be on the verge for the next round. Let’s rally behind them!
As we wish the Stars the best in today’s encounter, let us also pray that our athletes do us proud at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which roar into life next week in Glasgow, Scotland.
A squad of 36 athletes drawn from boxing, athletics, cycling, judo, table tennis, swimming and wrestling left the country for Glasgow four days ago. They will begin their search for medals at the multi-sport event on Wednesday. Expectations are high after President Jakaya Kikwete ‘ordered’ the squad also known as Team Tanzania to win medals for the country when handing over the national flag to team captain Seleman Kidunda at the National Stadium. The Head of State could have been more precise in his message by telling the athletes that they are deeply indebted to the nation and the only way to appease it is to win medals.
This year’s Games will see 4,500 athletes compete for 261 medals in 17 sports held in 14 venues around Glasgow. We wish Stars and Team Tanzania all the best.
The last time Tanzania won a medal in boxing was in 1998, when Michael Yombayomba scooped gold in Kuala Lumpur.
