Benin name strong team for Stars tie
Coming to Dar: West Bromwich Albion’s Benin midfielder Stephane Sessegnon in action during a past English Premier League match. photo | afp
What you need to know:
“All players are already in the camp with the exception of Samatta who won’t be fit on time to face the Squirrels,”.
Dar es Salaam. Benin have announced a strong 18-man squad for their international friendly match against the national team, Taifa Stars, scheduled for the National Stadium this Sunday.
The Squirrels head coach, Didier Ollé-Nicolle, called up 13 stars who ply their trade in the English Premier League and French’s Ligue One.
Among the world-class players who will play at the 60,000-seater facility is midfield kingpin Stephane Sessegnon of West Bromwich Albion.
Meanwhile, Young Africans have finally allowed their players to join Taifa Stars for the Sunday’s match.
The Jangwani Street side had blocked its players demanding an official letter from the Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF). However, after the federation complied with their condition, Yanga sanctioned their seven players to join Taifa Stars teammates.
The players, who were missing at the camp, are Deogratius Munishi, Mrisho Ngassa, Oscar Joshua, Edward Charles, Simon Msuva, Kelvin Yondani and Nadir Haroub.
Stars manager Boniface Clemence told The Citizen yesterday that all summoned players had already reported at the camp, disclosing that Mbwana Samatta will miss the match. Clemence said the TP Mazembe man is not in Mart Nooij’s plans for Sunday after he failed to shake off an injury. The prolific goal poacher is in Lubumbashi receiving treatment.
“All players are already in the camp with the exception of Samatta who won’t be fit on time to face the Squirrels,” he said.
According to Clemence, Taifa Stars players were in top shape and raring to test their strength against Benin.
“The players who are available for the friendly match are faring well at the camp and judging by a few training sessions, they look psyched up to play Benin,” he said. Apart from Sessegnon, Ollé-Nicolle has in his squad the likes of Sessi D’almeida, David Djigla (FC Girondis Bordeaux, France) and Steve Mounie (HSC Montpellier, France).
Other players coming for the match are Didier Sossa (AS Dragons FC de I’Oueme, Benin), Abdel Fadel Suanon (Etoile Sportive du Sahel, Tunisia), Jodel Dossou (FC Liefering, Austria), Sessi D’almeida (FC Girondis Bordeaux, France), Mohamed Aoudo (JS Saoura, Algeria) and Saturnin Allagbe (US Krake, Benin).
Also in the list are Farnolle Fabien (Clermont Foot Auvergne 63, France), Jordan Adeoti (SM Caen, France), Michael Pote (Omonia Nikosia, Cyprus), David Djigla (FC Girondis Bordeaux, France), Seidou Baraze (Kawkab Marrakech, Morocco, Jean Ogouchi (Mberie Sportif Club, Benin), Nafiou Badarou (ASO Chlef, Algeria), Eric Tossavi (Avrankou Omnisport, Benin), Fortune Ore (US Krake, Benin) and Seibou Mama (US Krake, Benin).
The TFF competitions director, Boniface Wambura said Benin will jet into the country in batches, starting from today. The match will start at 5pm.
