Mayay says Taifa Stars face crucial match against Morocco
What you need to know:
- Taifa Stars will play their opening match against Morocco on January 17 at the San Pedro Stadium.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania national football team (Taifa Stars) players have been urged to play at their best in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, which start tomorrow on January 13, 2024 in Ivory Coast.
Taifa Stars will play their opening match against Morocco on January 17 at the San Pedro Stadium.
The call has been made today during an exclusive interview on January 12, 2024 by the Director of Sports Development at the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, Ally Mayay.
Mayay said winning or recording a draw against Morocco will instill confidence into the players to do their best in their remaining matches. Apart from Morocco, Taifa Stars will also face the DR Congo and Zambia in group F.
The former Yanga player explained that Tanzania has talented players with both international exposure and experience, which are the key factors in the game.
“In our Taifa Stars squad, we have 13 players who feature in abroad leagues and the rest, numbering 14, feature in the domestic premier league for formidable teams including Young Africans (Yanga), Simba, Azam FC as well as Namungo FC.
“All these players have featured in major competitions like the African Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and others. I call upon them to be well-focused as their first match is crucial to win and others will follow,” said Mayay.
After the Morocco clash, Taifa Stars will face Zambia on January 21 and the DR Congo in the last group match on January 24. The team’s 27 players are already in Ivory Coast ready for the prestigious tournament on the continent.
The Taifa Stars squad is formed by goalkeepers: Aishi Manula (Simba), Kwesi Kawawa (Karlslunds, Sweden), and Beno Kakolanya, who is from Singida Fountain Gate FC.
Defenders are Mohammed Hussein (Simba), Ibrahim Hamadi Bacca (Yanga), Dickson Job (Yanga), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Yanga), and Novatus Dismas (Shakhtar Donesk, Ukraine), Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC), Miano Danilo (Vilena, Spain), Abdulmalik Zakaria (Namungo FC), Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Town, England), and Abdi Banda, who plays for Richardson Bay of South Africa.
Midfielders are Sospeter Banyana (Azam FC), Feisal Salum (Azam FC), Mzamiru Yasin (Simba), Mudathir Yahaya (Yanga), Morice Abraham (RFK Novi, Serbia), Himid Mao (Taka’ea El Gaish, Egypt), Tarryn Allarakhia (Wealbstone, England), and Mohammed Omar, who plays for Borenham Wood of England.
Strikers are Ben Starkie, who plays for Likeston Town of England, Cyprian Kachwele (Vancouver FC, Canada), Charles M’mombwa (Macarthur FC, Australia), Saimon Msuva (JS Kabylie, Algeria), and the team’s captain, Mbwana Samatta, who plays for Paokm Solanika of Greece.
