Stars coach names 31 players for Africa Cup of Nations finals

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian national football team’s (Taifa Stars) technical bench has named 31 players ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals scheduled to take place in Abijan, Cote d’Ivoiret, from January 13 to February 11.

Taifa Stars players have left for Cairo, Egypt for preparations ahead the competition.

The players are goalkeepers: Aishi Manula (Simba), Metacha Mnata (Young Africans), Kwesi Kawawa (Karlslunds, Sweden), and Beno Kakolanya, who is from Singida Fountain Gate FC.

Defenders, according to Taifa Stars assistant coach Hemed Morocco, are Mohammed Hussein (Simba), Ibrahim Hamadi Bacca (Young Africans), Dickson Job (Young Africans), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans), and Novatus Dismas, who plays for Shakhtar Donesk of Ukraine.

Also on the list of defenders; Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC), Miano Danilo (Vilena, Spain), Abdulmalik Zakaria (Namungo), Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Town, England), and Abdi Banda, who plays for Richardson Bay in South Africa.

Players who are forming the team’s midfield position are Sospeter Banyana (Azam FC), Feisal Salum (Azam FC), Mzamiru Yasin (Simba), Mudathir Yahaya (Young Africans), Twaliq Abdillahi (Telford United, England), and Morice Abraham, who plays for RFK Novi of Serbia.

There are also Khleffin Hamdoun (Muscat Club, Oman), Himid Mao (Taka’ea El Gaish, Egypt), Tarryn Allarakhia (Wealbstone, England), and Mohammed Ali Omar of Borenham Wood, England.

The team’s striking force is under Ben Starkie, who plays for Likeston Town, England; Abdul Suleiman Sopu (Azam FC); 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 in Greece.

Morocco said that the players would be trimmed to 27 who will represent the country at the Afcon finals as per rules and regulations.

“It was not an easy task to trim the players to the current number due to the standard that all players who had been selected to form the provisional squad. We still have a tough job deciding on the names of four players to be dropped to meet the number as per the African Football Governing Body’s (CAF) requirement,” said Morocco.

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

While in Egypt, the Taifa Stars will play a build-up match against Egypt’s national team, alias the Pharaohs, next Sunday.