Stars to camp abroad for Mambas duel
Taifa Stars players celebrate after scoring against Zimbabwe in the first round, first leg match of the Afcon qualifiers at the National Stadium. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Stars, seeking their first appearance at the Nations Cup finals since 1980, will go head-to-head with the Mambas on July 20 at the National Stadium
Dar es Salaam. Plans are afoot for the national soccer team, Taifa Stars, to camp abroad ahead of their second round, first leg qualifier of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations against Mozambique’s Mambas.
Stars, seeking their first appearance at the Nations Cup finals since 1980, will go head-to-head with the Mambas on July 20 at the National Stadium.
Reliable sources revealed yesterday that the team would camp in South Africa or Jordan for two weeks ahead of what promises to be an intriguing encounter.
“If all goes well, Taifa Stars will camp in South Africa or Jordan for at least two weeks for next month’s match against Mozambique.
“Right now, the TFF (Tanzania Football Federation) is working round the clock to raise money for the camp…most likely in South Africa,” the source, who declined to be named, said.
The Stars, now on recess after making it to the second round at the expense of Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors, are expected to re-assemble on Wednesday for a residential camp, according to the TFF.
Despite eliminating the Warriors on a 3-1 aggregate in the first round, Stars were not much impressive and head coach Mart Nooij feels there is a need for the team to undergo adequate and scientific training before confronting the Mambas.
On the number of players expected to make the trip, the source said the coach intends to trim his squad to 24. His current team comprises 28 players.
Like Taifa Stars, the Mambas have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, but they have competed in the Africa Cup of Nations finals four times- 1986, 1996, 1998 and 2010. They were eliminated in the first round in all four editions.
Players making up Nooij’s squad are: Deogratias Munishi, Aishi Manula, Benedictor Tinoko, Kelvin Yondani, Said Moradi, Nadir Haroub, Joram Nason, Shomari Kapombe, Oscar Joshua, Edward Charles, Aggrey Morris and Pato Ngonyani.
Others are Mwinyi Kazimoto, Frank Domayo, Amri Kiemba, Erasto Nyoni, Jonas Mkude, Said Juma, Haruna Chanongo, Himid Mao, Said Ndemla, John Bocco, Simon Msuva, Kelvin Friday, Ramadhan Singano, Mwagane Yeya, Khamis Mcha and Mrisho Ngasa.
