Taifa Stars out to tame Namibians

Dar es Salaam. The national soccer team, Taifa Stars, today play against Namibia’s Brave Warriers in international friendly match in Windhoek.

Taifa Stars players are optimistic of a win in the encounter that will take place at the Sam Nujoma or Independence Stadium in Windhoek.

 Taifa Stars acting head coach Salum Madadi said that his charges oozed confidence in training yesterday, adding that they have the resilience to defeat the Namibians and improve the country’s position in the world soccer governing body’s rankings.

He also added that the match would serve as a build up for his boys who are sponsored by Kilimanjaro Premium Lager ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers set to kick off in September, this year.

Madadi said that Stars who are currently sitting at position 116th in FIFA rankings are focused on today’s game. He noted that although he will miss some key players, they have prepared the team well tactically and technically in the short period of time they have been given.

Key players Frank Domayo, David Luhende, Athuman Idd, Mrisho Ngassa and top class goalie Deogratius “Dida” Munishi from Young Africans as well as TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) duo, Mbwana Samatta, and Thomas Ulimwengu would not affect the team’s performance, he assured. “Stakes are abound in the camp and my players are in a positive frame of mind. They are raring to go today...but we need to be very careful because we are playing away,” said Madadi. He expressed his respect for Namibia but promised to return home with victory.

“We have slipped up on many occasions this season and the most recent disappointment was a draw against Zimbabwe,” he said, adding: “However, in soccer you can’t win all matches, some you draw or lose as well. But we have trained hard and I am looking forward to good results,” he said, noting, however,  that the Namibians would have home ground advantage as most fans were waiting to support their team.