DAR ES SALAAM : The National Women’s Team (Twiga Stars) Coach Bakari Shime has expressed satisfaction with his team’s preparation for their first leg match against Ivory Coast at Yamoussoukro Stadium in Ivory Coast on Friday.
After ten days of training in Dar es Salaam, Twiga Stars travelled on Tuesday morning to Ivory Coast.
During his interview with the press, Coach Shime insisted they are determined to qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) next year, saying that the past qualifiers have taught them a valuable lesson.
“Our target in this competition is to qualify for the WAFCON finals and we are well prepared. We have been in camp for about ten days ensuring that we impart our players with the necessary skills to win against Ivory Coast in both matches,” he said.
After the first duel in Ivory Coast, Tanzania will host the reverse leg match on Tuesday next week at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam.
He added that the squad is composed of experienced and young players who are ready to fly high the national flag at the contest.
Commenting on the team’s secret behind the success of women’s football in the country, Shime noted that the success is due to players’ morale and commitment to achieving the team’s goals.
“We have a committed team with good players who are highly motivated and understand their responsibility as football players. Also, the government and sports stakeholders have been very supportive to ensure we get all the needed support to see women’s football excel,” he said.
He added that grassroots programs conducted on both Tanzania’s mainland and Zanzibar are also orchestrating the smooth success of women’s football in the country.
He further acknowledged that there are a considerable number of well-trained coaches who do a good job from school to club level hence aiding in grooming the ladies’ careers.
The 2024 WAFCON finals will be staged in Morocco for the second consecutive time and South Africa is the current champions.
