Striker Rashid Mandawa, who plays for BDF FC in Botswana, joined the team at camp yesterday, while team captain Mbwana Samatta is expected in the country today.
Dar es Salaam. The national soccer team, Taifa Stars, have received just the tonic they need ahead of their match against Uganda Cranes, with the arrival of foreign-based players.
Striker Rashid Mandawa, who plays for BDF FC in Botswana, joined the team at camp yesterday, while team captain Mbwana Samatta is expected in the country today.
“Most of the players we have called up are fit and on form because they are regularly playing for their respective clubs,” Taifa Stars assistant coach, Hemed Morocco said yesterday.
“We plan to use two days here to bond the squad before leaving for Kampala, Uganda for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier,” Morocco said.
According to Morocco, Samatta, who features for Belgium’s KRC Genk, and striker Simon Msuva, who plies his trade with Difaa Al Jadida in Morocco, will join the team this afternoon.
Stars, now shaping up at Boko ground on the outskirts of the city, are expected to leave for Kampala tomorrow for the tricky Group L clash.
For his part, new Taifa Stars head coach, Emmanuel Amunike has demanded that his team respect an improving Uganda side when the two teams face off on Saturday.
Uganda Cranes, who ended their near-30-year wait to play at the Africa Cup of Nations finals by qualifying for the 2017 Afcon, currently lead Group L with three points from one match.
The Cranes squeezed a 1-0 win over Cape Verde 1-0 in their 2019 Afcon opener earlier this year.
The Ugandans represent a stern debut for Amunike, although the Nigeria great insists he’ll be taking nothing for granted.
“Playing Uganda will be very interesting,” the Nigerian tactician said.
“We know that it will not be an easy match. We are ready for the challenge because we know what to expect.
“We’ll put lots of emphasis on our teamwork,” he added.
Samatta, who scored a hat-trick recently when his team – Genk – downed Brondby of Denmark in a Europa League qualifier, is among players Amunike banks on for goals in Saturday’s match.
However, Amunike has also had to contend with a controversial start to his tenure, with six players from Mainland giants Simba ruled out of the clash after failing to report at camp on time.
“Picking my team will not be based on names and where a player is playing, but the ability to fit in my strategic set-up,” said Amunike, who was named new Stars coach last month.
The players include ace striker John Bocco, midfield maestro Jonas Mkude and winger Shiza Kichuya.
“All of the players I’ve selected can feature in my team,” he said.
Success-starved Taifa Stars are seeking their first appearance at the Afcon finals since 1980.
The other foreign-based players expected to join Stars today are Himid Mao (Project, Egypt), Abdi Banda (Baroka FC, South Africa), Hassan Kessy (Nkana Red Devils, Zambia), Thomas Ulimwengu (Al Hilal, Sudan), Farid Mussa and Shaaban Idd (Spain’s Tenerife).
