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Government urges envoys in CAF Cup to make Tanzanians proud
Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports Damas Ndumbaro. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports Damas Ndumbaro said the tree teams are supposed to be very keen because their opponents are also targeting qualifying for the next stage of the competitions.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s envoys in the continental club championships, Young Africans (Yanga), Simba, and Singida Fountain Gate, have been urged to play with determination in order to qualify for the group stages.
Singida Fountain Gate FC will face Future FC of Egypt in the CAF Confederation Cup, while Yanga will be away facing El Merreikh of Sudan on Saturday at Pele Stadium in Kigali from 4 pm Tanzania time, and Simba will be facing Power Dynamos of Zambia at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola from 4 respectively.
The call was made by Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports Damas Ndumbaro during an interview with The Citizen yesterday.
Ndumbaro said the tree teams are supposed to be very keen because their opponents are also targeting qualifying for the next stage of the competitions.
"I have seen the three teams playing in various matches and called on them not to let us down as they are in a crucial stage. It is an open fact that all teams are in top shape, but they need to stay focused as they are in a crucial stage. It is my hope and that of all Tanzanians that all three teams will qualify for the group stages and make new history in the country.
Ndumbaro said Yanga and Simba have to record the best results away so that they will have an easy job at home.
"Singida Fountain Gate FC needs to score many goals at home. This will help them have an easy job in a hurry," he said.
“If they qualify for the group stage, it will be the first time for the country to field three teams in the stage. So I called all Tanzanians to give the team players support and pray for them in order to record the best results," said Ndumbaro.
He said the matches are crucial, and the players must be very keen throughout the games.
Ndumbaro also said President Samia Suluhu Hassan will start ‘buying’ goals from the groups’ stage of the competitions. I
n the last continental club championships, President Samia boosted the morale of Tanzania’s envoys, Yanga and Simba, after buying each goal for Sh5 million in the group stage and later doubled the amount to Sh10 million.
"Yanga, Simba, and Singida Fountain Gate FC players have to stretch their muscles and qualify for the group stage. From there, President Samia will start to buy each goal for the amount that will be announced later," insisted Ndumbaro.
