Taifa Stars in buoyant mood as AFCON games draw closer

Dar es Salaam. The national football team, Taifa Stars, players have vowed not to disappoint Tanzanians ahead of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Ethiopia and Guinea.

Taifa Stars, drawn in Group H, will face Ethiopia tomorrow at 7 pm at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, before meeting Guinea on September 10 at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, with the match kicking off at 10pm East African Time.

Speaking yesterday, the team's holding midfielder, Himid Mao, said they are ready for both matches and their main target is to achieve the best results.

Mao, who plays for the Egyptian Premier League side Tala'ea El Gaish, emphasised that they are taking the match seriously and do not underestimate Ethiopia, who also aim for a positive outcome.

He said that the team has trained well, and every player is prepared to fight for the country in the Group H matches. “We have a mix of players on the team; some are new, and others have experience in international competitions. The good thing is that even the new players have adapted to the coach's training with great morale. We call on all Tanzanians to come out in large numbers to support their team,” said Mao.

Another player, Mohammed "Tshabalala" Hussein, stated that the match is crucial and their primary goal is to perform well.

“We are looking for another opportunity to qualify for the AFCON finals. We achieved this in 1980 in Lagos, Nigeria, again in 2019 in Egypt, and last year in Cote d’Ivoire.

 It would be great to qualify for the 2025 finals in Morocco, especially since we will be the hosts in 2027,” said Tshabalala.

The team's assistant coach, Juma Mgunda, added that all players are doing well and responding positively in training. He said the players are determined to represent their nation and are ready to fight hard, both at home and in their away match against Guinea.

“All the players are fit and ready for the match. We are making final preparations before facing Ethiopia at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday (tomorrow). We urge all Tanzanians to fill the stadium,” said Mgunda.

In addition to Mao and Tshabalala, the Taifa Stars squad includes Ally Salim (Simba), Aboutwalib Mshery (Yanga), Yona Amos (Pamba), Lusajo Mwaikenda, Nathaniel Chilambo, Pascal Msindo (Azam FC), Ibrahim Hamad Bacca, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Dickson Kibabage (Yanga), and Abdulmalick Zacharia (Mashujaa FC).

Also on the list are Adolf Mtasigwa (Azam FC), Novatus Dismas (Goztepe, Turkey), Mudathir Yahaya (Yanga), Hussein Semfuko (Coastal Union), Edwin Balua (Simba), Feisal Salum ‘Fei Toto’ (Azam FC), Wazir Junior (Dodoma Jiji), Cyprian Kachwel (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada), Clement Mzize (Yanga), and Abel Josiah who is from TDS’s TFF Academy.