Taifa Stars midfielders Mwinyi Kazimoto (left) and Athumani Idd warm-up during a recent training session. photo | file
What you need to know:
The midfield kingpin, who went missing from the Stars camp, is reportedly undergoing trials at a top Qatari outfit
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has labelled Mwinyi Kazimoto’s disappearance from the national team camp as “recklessness” and rubbished claims that the federation was standing on his way. Kazimoto, who was with Taifa Stars in Mwanza preparing for the second leg of the African Nations Championship (Chan) against Uganda, is reportedly undergoing trials at a top Qatari outfit.
Rumours have it that Kazimoto made the decision after learning that the TFF would not sanction his plan to try professional football abroad.
However, the TFF information officer, Boniface Wambura, played down the speculations, reiterating that the federation has no problem with any player seeking green pastures abroad provided that formal procedures are followed.
“Kazimoto heeded advice from wrong individuals; the TFF always wants players to play in topflight leagues because it is good for the national team, thus claims that we stand on the players’ ways are groundless,” Wambura said.
“What we have always insisted is to follow the laid down procedures, Kazimoto should have consulted his club first for permission just like how Kapombe (Shomari) did.”
The midfielder, who still has a valid contract with Simba SC, is unlikely to play anywhere even if he passes the trials unless legal and procedural issues are sorted out. His disgraceful disappearance is a massive blow for Taifa Stars who will miss the services of two influential players when they lock horns with the Uganda Cranes on July 27.
Kapombe, the hard-tackling Simba and Stars defender, departs for Netherlands this morning where he will undergo two-week trials with top clubs including FC Twente. Wambura said Kapombe has been given the green light to go and try his luck after fulfilling all the required procedures.
The 21-year-old was to leave for the Netherlands last month, but his documents were incomplete, thus being forced to settle issues with the Msimbazi Street outfit. Kapombe, who started his football career with a local side, Polisi Morogoro, has been in fine form at the club and international level and won the Vodacom Premier League best player award last season.
