AHEAD of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers match versus Uganda, Tanzanians have been encouraged to storm at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in big numbers to cheer their side as they battle to stamp success.
The two teams meet tomorrow in the first leg match of the qualifiers prior to the reverse leg scheduled on September 3rd at St Mary’s Stadium in Uganda and the best winner will automatically cruise to the CHAN finals pegged in Algeria.
In his remarks, Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Media and Information Officer Clifford Ndimbo said despite the team progressing well with preparations, there is still a need to have many people at the venue.
“The atmosphere in camp is good, except one player, Abdul Suleiman, who is under special care from doctors but the rest of the members are of good health looking forward to the big match.
“As such, I request more Tanzanians to invade at the Stadium and provide the much needed support to the team bearing in mind that we are at home with every reason to cheer our beloved team,” Ndimbo said.
Recently, Taifa Stars Head Coach Kim Poulsen described the game as a tough duel but insisted that his charges are responding well to training sessions and he is satisfied with their workrate.
“They play direct football, are aggressive and it is always a tough game against Uganda. For us, we have at least four days to thoroughly prepare for the game and on each training sessions, we have a different topic we work at.
“Players are enjoying seeing each other again and the new faces we have in the squad are quickly adapting to the family,” said Poulsen who is probably spending sleepless nights trying to figure out the best way to defeat the Cranes.
His first choice goalkeeper Aishi Manula has assured Tanzanians that they will work hard for them in order to produce a victory prior to the return leg clash in Uganda.
“We are still doing preparations and it is our hope that the coach will impart to us winning formula even though we know that it will be a very difficult match…we know them (Uganda) well and they too know us deeply and here is where the tough part of the game will be.
“For us players, we have been privileged to fight for the country’s colours hence we have to sacrifice in order to ensure that we produce tangible results.
“We have potential to make it to CHAN finals and this is our moment whereby we just need to record good results in each of the two-legged fixtures of which I believe we can achieve,” Manula said.
However, Uganda lost 1-0 to Zanzibar Heroes in a friendly match held at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Wednesday evening which was their last signal testing game before facing Taifa Stars.
