Maximo set to unveil final squad for Challenge Cup
By Majuto Omary
Kilimanjaro Stars' head coach Marcio Maximo will announce his final squad today, which will travel to Nairobi, Kenya for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.
The coveted regional tournament is set to kick off on Saturday and the mainland team would fly out on Thursday.
After playing three warm-up matches, confident Kilimanjaro Stars will take on the defending champions, Uganda in the tournament opener on Sunday.
Briefing reporters yesterday, the Tanzania Football Federation's (TFF) secretary general, Fredrick Mwakalebela said all players were in buoyant moods.
"They know what is at stake since we desperately need to dethrone Uganda and all are psychologically prepared to do so," he said.
Mwakalebela confirmed that Maximo would announce the players who would represent the country at the tournament today.
Asked about the number of players required for the tournament, the TFF's official responded: "The federation wasn't aware."
Kilimanjaro Stars would be inspired by the team's successful campaigns in 1994 when Kenya hosted the Challenge Cup.
Coached by Sylersaidi Mziray, the mainland side broke their longstanding jinx to lift up the trophy. Their last victory was in 1974.
Stars are in a group of death, Group C together with Zanzibar, Uganda and Burundi.
Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia and Djibouti are in Group A, while Group B comprises Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Eritrea and Somalia.
Even as Maximo has yet to release the names of the players, The Citizen understands the team would comprise Shaaban Dihile and Ali Mustapha as goalkeepers.
Shedrack Nsajigwa, Erasto Nyoni, Juma Jabu, Stephano Mwasika, David Naftali, Kelvin Yondani and Salum Swed would man the defensive department.
The strike force would comprise Nurdin Bakari, Shaaban Nditi, Mwinyi Kazimoto, Mrisho Ngassa, Jerry Tegete, Kigi Makassy, Mussa Hassan Mgosi and John Boko.
