Stars preps in top gear ahead of Uganda clash

Dar es Salaam. All the players of the Tanzania national football team (Taifa Stars) have arrived in Ismailia, Egypt, ahead of the group F clash of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) against Uganda’s The Cranes on Friday, according to Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Media and Information Officer Clifford Ndimbo.

The match has been scheduled to be held in Egypt because of Uganda’s decision as their stadium has been banned by CAF because it does not meet the criteria of the African football governing body.

Ndimbo confirmed that all the players including the team’s head coach Algerian Adel Amrouche are already there for the encounter.

“The team’s captain, Mbwana Samatta, and other players have arrived in Ismailia and all are in high morale to face the Ugandans,” said Ndimbo. Meanwhile, the team’s assistant head coach Hemed “Morocco” Suleiman has admitted facing an uphill task. Morocco said although they are facing a strong opposition from Uganda in the Afcon qualifier, they are targeting to do their best and improve their chances in the group standings. Morocco said the players are doing fine, explaining that on day one they underwent gym and on pitch training.

“We are mostly concentrating on technical matters ahead of the match. Most of the players are coming from competitions, but for the sake of fitness, we are going to train them on physique,” said Morocco.

Taifa Stars are placed third in group F with one point from two matches. Algeria are at the top with six points and are followed by Niger with two points.

Uganda are at the bottom with one point. According to the schedule, Taifa Stars will face Uganda in the return leg on March 28 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and later they will play against Niger at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on June 12 before travelling to Algiers to clash with Algeria on September 4.