Yanga dominate Taifa Stars’ Afcon provisional squad

Dar es Salaam. As the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals are around the corner, a provisional squad of Tanzania’s national football team, Taifa Stars, has been unveiled with the dominance of Young Africans (Yanga) players.

The prestigious football tournament is scheduled to be held from January 13 to February 11 next year in Ivory Coast. The Stars squad has a mix of talent from various clubs with Yanga contributing  eight players.

Taifa Stars head coach Adel Amrouche announced 53 players to form the provisional squad after carefully selecting a combination of experienced and emerging talent.

In the goalkeeping department, Yanga boast two stellar shot-stoppers namely Metacha Mnatha and Abutwalib Mshely and defenders Bakari Mwamnyeto, Ibrahim Abdallah (Bacca), Clement Kibabage, and Dickson Job.

Yanga have also contributed midfielder Mudathir Yahya and striker Clement Mzize to the Stars squad as their ability of penetrating the defence of rival reams and creating goal-scoring chances has convinced Amrouche to include them in his plans for the upcoming Afcon.

 Simba SC, the other powerhouse in Tanzanian football, are well-represented in the Amrouche provisional squad to which the club has contributed four players including Aishi Manula, Mohammed Hussein, Kennedy Juma in  defence and midfielder Mzamiru Yassin, who brings his experience and skill to the squad.

Azam FC’s Lusajo Mwaikenda, Sospeter Bajana, Feisal Salum, and Abdul Suleiman Sopu also strengthen the Stars squad.

The inclusion of these Azam FC players highlights the club's role in providing a well-rounded skill set to the national team.

Singida Fountain Gate FC and Mtibwa Sugar FC are not left behind as the clubs also make their mark in the provisional squad, contributing  two players each. The Stars squad has Beno Kakolanya and Yusuph Kagoma from Singida Fountain Gate FC, who bring their talents as a goalkeeper and a defensive midfielder respectively.

Players Matheo Anthony and Ladaki Chasambi from Mtibwa Sugar FC are part of the Stars squad to add firepower to the attacking department.

The provisional squad is also formed by Edwin Balua from Tanzania Prisons, Lameck Lawi from Coastal Union and Abdulmalik Zakaria from Namungo FC.

As Taifa Stars gear up for the Afcon finals, the inclusion of these talented players from Yanga, along with others from other top clubs, sets the stage for a formidable national team ready to compete on continental stage.

Tanzanian football enthusiasts eagerly await the final squad announcement as the nation rallies behind its stars in pursuit of Afcon glory.

Other players forming the provisional squad are Kwesi Kawawa from Karlslunds of Sweden, Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Tow, England), Abdi Banda (Richardson Bay, South Africa), Novatus Dismas (Shakhtar Donesk, Ukraine), Adam Kasa (IFK Haninge, Sweden) and Roberto Nditi who plays for Forfar Athletic, of Scotland.

The list also includes Zion Nditi (Aldershot Town, England), Miano Danilo (Vilena, Spain), Mark John (Kingston FC, Australia), Himid Mao (Taka’ea El Gaish, Egypt), Adolf Bitegeko (Volsungir, Iceland), Baraka Majogoro (Chippa United, South Africa), Mohammed Al Omar (Boreham Wood, England), Twaliq Abdillahi (Telford United, England), Morice Abraham (RFK Novi, Serbia), Khleffin Hamdoun (Muscat Club, Oman), Saidi Hamis (Jedinstov UB, Serbia and Tarryan Allarakhia from Wealdstone of England.

On the list are also Cyprian Kachwele from Vancouver FC of Canada, Amahi Pellegrino (Bode/Glint, Norway), Ayoub Bilal (free agent), Ben Starkie (Likeston Town, England), Mbwana Samatta (Paokm Solanika, Greece), Charles M’mombwa (Macarthur FC, Australia), Adam Salamba (ly Stade Club, Libya), Simon Msuva (Js Kabylie, Algeria), Omary Mvungi (FC Nantes, France) and Ibrahim Joshua from Tusker FC of  Kenya.

Taifa Stars have been drawn in group F together with  Morocco,  DR  Congo and Zambia. Their opening match will be held on January 17 against Morocco at the San-Pedro Stadium.