TFF: Stars upbeat to see off Niger

TANZANIA Football Federation (TFF) said Taifa Stars players are in win-hungry mood as they host Niger in the qualifiers of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) slated at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam tomorrow.

It is a must-win group F clash for the country’s envoys in order to scale up their chances of booking a ticket to play at the finals of the biggest continental level showdown for the national teams whose host this time is Ivory Coast.

A victory will strengthen Stars’ race to the desired goal with seven points, thereby rekindling their hopes of qualifying prior to facing Algeria in their last assignment of the campaign to be played in Algeria.

The other group F encounter sees Uganda welcoming Algeria at Japoma Stadium in Cameroon in another tense fixture as the Ugandan side also desperately needs to produce victory over the former AFCON champions.

Just like Taifa Stars, Uganda have penned 4 points from the four matches, they too look upbeat to pick positive results over Algeria, who have already sealed qualification to the finals.

Speaking yesterday in the city, TFF Media and Communication Officer Clifford Ndimbo reiterated that players are aware of the importance of this game which needs only positive outcome for the country’s flag carriers.

“To us, this game is a must-win so that we can generate seven points before travelling to face Algeria in the last qualifying duel of the campaign.

“In this regard, we demand massive support from all Tanzanians to rally behind their team and give it much needed boost to energise players on the pitch to execute well their responsibilities,” Ndimbo said.

The full squad trusted by Head Coach Adel Amrouche comprises of the following players: Goalkeepers Beno Kakolanya (Simba), Metacha Mnata (Yanga) Zuberi Foba (Azam) and Vuai Makame (KMKM).

Defenders: Dickson Job (Yanga), Datius Peter (Kagera Sugar), Kibwana Shomari (Yanga), Abdi Banda (Chippa United-South Africa), Mohamed Hussein (Simba), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Yanga), Ibrahim Bacca (Yanga), Kennedy Juma (Simba) and Lameck Lawi (Coastal Union).

Midfielders: Himid Mao (El-Mahalla-Egypt), Mzamiru Yassin (Simba), Novatus Dismas (Zuite Waregem-Belgium), Idrissa Bilali (FK Gorazde-Bosnia), Aziz Andambwile (Singida Fountain Gate), Ben Starkie (Basford United-England), Mudathir Yahya (Yanga), Raphael Daudi (Ihefu), Morris Abraham (FK Sportak Subotica-Serbia) and Adolf Bitegeko (Volsungur FC-Ireland).

Strikers: Simon Msuva (Al-Qadsiah FC-Saudi Arabia), Abdul Suleiman (Azam), Kibu Dennis (Simba), Mbwana Samatta (Genk-Belgium), Adi Yussuf (Brackley-England), Tiba John (Hatta Club-Emirate) and Bernard Kamungo (FC Dallas, America).