DAR ES SALAAM: PATRICK Aussems, the newly appointed head coach of Singida Big Stars, has expressed his enthusiasm about joining the club, citing their ambitious project aimed at elevating the team in the upcoming NBC Premier League season.
Formerly with Simba SC, Aussems has recently arrived in Tanzania and is now preparing to lead his new squad in the upcoming Kagame Cup in Zanzibar.
“I am delighted to return to Tanzania, this time as the head coach of Singida. I was impressed by the club’s vision, which played a pivotal role in my decision to join them,” Aussems stated upon his arrival.
Emphasising the club’s ambition under his leadership, Aussems outlined his goal to establish Singida Big Stars as a top-tier competitor in Tanzanian football.
“The management and staff here share a strong vision for growth and I am determined to ensure that Singida competes alongside giants like Simba, Yanga and Azam. Our aim is for the club to make a significant impact next season,” he affirmed.
Aussems revealed that despite receiving numerous offers in recent years, Singida’s compelling vision ultimately convinced him to choose them.
On the club’s side, Media and Communication Officer, Hussein Massanza highlighted the importance of the upcoming Kagame Cup for their preseason preparations.
“For us, this tournament serves as an excellent pre-season opportunity because we need competitive matches to keep our players fit ahead of the 2024/25 league campaign,” he explained.
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According to Baraka Kizuguto, Competitions Manager at the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), the tournament format excludes quarterfinals this year.
“There will be three groups, and each team will play three games. The top teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, along with the best-performing runner-up,” Kizuguto recently clarified in Dar es Salaam.
Representing mainland Tanzania in the tournament will be Singida Black Stars and Coastal Union, following the withdrawals of Azam, Young Africans, and Simba.
Meanwhile, JKU FC will represent Zanzibar. The tournament, scheduled from July 9th to 21st, features a competitive lineup: Group A: Coastal Union FC (Tanzania), Al Wadi (Sudan), JKU FC (Zanzibar), and Dekadeha FC (Somalia).
Group B: Al Hilal (Sudan), Gor Mahia (Kenya), Red Arrows FC (Zambia) and Telecom FC (Djibouti). Group C: APR FC (Rwanda), Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania) and El Merriekh FC – Bintiu (South Sudan)
