Tricky choice for Stars, Zanzibar Heroes players

Dar es Salaam. Playing for Taifa Stars or Zanzibar Heroes is a tricky choice Tanzanian players now have to make when called up for national duty, it has been revealed.

This follows a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to admit Zanzibar as its new member.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) said yesterday that coaches of the two national soccer teams were now free to rope in players from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

“Local players can now play for Taifa Stars or Zanzibar Heroes, but not both, in the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers,” the TFF secretary general, Celestine Mwesigwa, said.

Last Thursday, Africa cemented its position as the largest football bloc at FIFA when unanimously admitted Zanzibar as its 55th member at the 39th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Previously, Zanzibar clubs played in the CAF f club competitions but at the national team level, they competed jointly as Tanzania.

“In England, for instance, a player born in Wales can play England and vice-verse. It’s a player who decides he would like to play for after earning a call-up for national duty,” said Mwesigwa.

On the current national team squad, the TFF official said the team’s head coach, Salum Mayanga has final decision on technical issues pertaining to the team.

There is no player from Zanzibar in Mayanga’s squad, now camping in the city of a series of international friendly matches.

Meanwhile, two foreign-based players Mbwana Samatta and Farid Mussa are expected to join the team at camp today, according to Mayanga.

“Samatta and Mussa are expected in the country tonight. They will join their colleagues at camp tomorrow (today), he said.

Taifa Stars will take on Botswana on Saturday at the National Stadium before confronting Burundi March 28 at the same venue.