Taifa Stars ready for Sudan friendly

TANZANIA: NATIONAL men’s football team (Taifa Stars) is expected to leave the country today to Saudi Arabia in preparation for their Sunday international friendly match against Sudan.

This was confirmed on Thursday by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Media and Information Officer, Clifford Ndimbo who said the team is in good shape for the signal testing duel.

“All players taking part in the Mainland Premier League who were called to the national team squad have reported to the camp. Some of the players who play for foreign clubs have joined the camp already. The team will travel today. A few others will join their colleagues in Saudi Arabia for the friendly match,” he said.

Players called for the national team squad include Sospeter Bajana, Kibu Denis, Ibrahim Abdallah Hamad, Dickson Job, Clement Mzize, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Mzamiru Yassin, Mudathir Yahya Abbas, Metacha Mnata, Abdul Suleiman and Nickson Kibabage.

Called footballers who play for foreign clubs include Simon Msuva, Novatus Dismas, and Baraka Majogoro.

Taifa Stars Coach, Adel Amrouche will also use the game to prepare for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals slated for Ivory Coast next year.

The country’s flag bearers will be among the 24 national teams battling for Africa’s glory.

Tanzania qualified for the third time for the biggest continental football showpiece. Tanzania excelled in the finals in 1980, 2019 and 2023.

Meanwhile, the draw for the 2023 AFCON finals was conducted late yesterday evening in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

It is anticipated that the friendly match will serve as a catalyst for the national team to prepare for their upcoming qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup against Niger, where Tanzania travels for the November 14th encounter, before hosting Morocco in Dar es Salaam on November 19.

Tanzania is placed in Group E of the World Cup qualifiers with Niger, Morocco, Zambia, Eritrea and Congo.