Coach needs more from Stars

DAR ES SALAAM: Taifa Stars coach Adel Amrouche said he was not impressed with performance of some players during their friendly match against Egypt.

The envoys conceded to a 2-0 defeat at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt over the weekend with Mahmoud Hassan and Mohamed Salah contributing one goal each for the Pharaohs in each half of the game.

And after the match, Taifa Stars squad left Egypt for Ivory Coast where the prestigious continental finals will be staged with 24 teams battling for the African glory.

“I know what we have, I think if you have 200 shillings in your pocket, you cannot travel to Kigoma…we must be realistic, there are some players who have failed to deliver, though I thought they could.

“This is a reality, you saw, it is not about the names, we need players who can do something…I am happy with some players, equally I am not happy about some, and they know that, we did not have enough time to correct all of them.

“I am happy for the comeback of Mohamed Hussein and Tarryn Allarakhia… there are some players who give satisfaction while others do not,” he said.

On his part skipper Mbwana Samatta said facing Egypt was a befitting test ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) mission.

“As I said two days before the match, I think Egypt have a good national team and it was a perfect weighing match for us before we kick off our AFCON campaign against Morocco.

“I think the coach has discovered the areas that need to be improved in order for us to be a much better side in the upcoming competitive games,” he said.

On his part, the Deputy Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports Hamis Mwinjuma who witnessed the signal testing match in Egypt noted that the government will continue to create conducive environment for the team to perform.

In terms of performance displayed, he said it was not that bad while insisting that despite the defeat, the team still have a chance to achieve a lot in their group.

“Of course, we are in a tough group but basing on preparations the team had, I am sure that we are going to achieve tangible results,” he said.

Placed in group F, Taifa Stars will launch their AFCON campaign by facing Morocco on January 17 at Stade de San Pedro before hosting Zambia at the same venue on January 21st.

Their last group stage fixture will be against DR Congo on January 24th at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.

Stars full 27 -man squad tasked for the 2023 AFCON mission has the following players:

Goalkeepers: Aishi Manula, Beno Kakolanya and Kwesi Kawawa, Defenders: Haji Mnoga, Mohammed Hussein, Lusajo Mwaikenda, Abdulmalik Zakaria, Abdi Banda,Dickson Job, Ibrahim Bacca, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Novatus Dismas and Miamo Danilo.

Midfielders: Feisal Salum, Himid Mao, Mzamiru Yassin, Sospeter Bajana, Ben Starkie, Tarryn Allarakhia,

Mudathir Yahya and Morice Abraham. Strikers: Mbwana Samatta, Simon Msuva, Mohammed Omar, Charles Mmombwa, Kibu Denis and Cyprian Kachwele.