Injuries force Manula out of Stars squad

Dar es Salaam. Azam Football Club first choice goalkeeper, Aishi Manula, has been ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on September 5 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Manula did not travel to Kartepe in Turkey due to injuries he sustained in the Community Shield match against Young Africans last Saturday at the National Stadium. Manula join a series of Azam FC players who have been dropped out of the Taifa Stars squad due to issues of performance.

The players are Salum Abubakari, Ame Ally, Ramadhan Singano and goalkeeper, Mwadini Ali Mwadini.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Media and Communication Officer, Baraka Kizuguto, said that Manula is now nursing his injuries and may join the team later depending on decision by Taifa Stars technical bench.

Following the move to drop Manula, Taifa Stars now remains with only two goalkeepers: Young African’s Ali Mustafa and Saidi Mohamed from Mtibwa Sugar.

“I cannot say that he will not join Taifa Stars again. This will depend on decision by the technical bench. I wish him a quick recovery as the squad will camp in Turkey for 10 days and will play a friend match against Libya on Friday,” said Kizuguto, adding that it will be difficult for Manula to join the team for the build-up match due to lack of training.

According to him, Taifa Stars will return early next month for final preparations before facing the Nigerians. “Manula’s absence is a big blow to the team due to the fact that he (Manula) led Azam FC to clinch the title in the just concluded East and Central Africa club championship (Kagame Cup) in Dar.”