Taifa Stars in tricky tie
Taifa Stars players and officials board Maputo-bound flight today ahead of their return leg tie of the African Nations Cup qualifier against Mozambique national soccer team to be played at the Zampeto Stadium on Sunday.
The team was flagged off by the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Said Meck Sadik yesterday afternoon.
As usual the Government official underscored the need for the players and officials to work with a strong cooperation while maintaining discipline during the crucial mission.
The Regional Commissioner conveyed the team with compliments and blessings from President Jakaya Kikwete who wished them the best of luck to excel in qualifiers as well as flapping the national flag high.
Sadik told the team to put a good performance while Tanzanians including the President are praying for their success.
“By handling the national flag means we have entrusted you to carry out the duty on our behalf and please don’t disappoint us”, he said.
The RC said he hopes the team would perform in the same way as they crushed Gambia over the weekend during the World Cup qualifier tie at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Sadik was the guest of honour during the qualifier tie and appreciated the Tanzania Football Federation, (TFF) for inviting him to be chief guest.
He said the victory over Gambia has revived hopes of the fans and from now on they would flock in big numbers at the stadium should the team maintain winning streak.
Taifa Stars skipper Juma Kaseja has called for unity between the Tanzanians and players during the flagging off ceremony.
Kaseja said players look forward to add another back-to-back victory in Maputo.
The team’s coach Kim Poulsen thanked everyone for the support as he declared the match against Mozambique will be the last after a full month-long before they return to their respective clubs for other assignments.
“We have been camping for a month now and we strive to finish on a high note. We are well prepared and go into this match with full of confidence to realise the dream of featuring in the Nations Cup berth”, he said.
The teams drew 1-1 during the first leg tie played at the national Stadium in Dar es Salaam on February 29 as the host side threw overboard a host of scoring opportunities through profligacy.