Kim Paulsen

Tanzania national team head coach Kim Paulsen said he has so far been    impressed by performance of several domestic-based players in the on going Kagame Cup championship now at the semifinal stage in Dar es Salaam.

The coach said the tourney has eased selection and scouting job as he expects to add more players in his Taifa Stars squad.

 Poulsen was responding to an interview with this reporter at the Karume Memorial Stadium yesterday.

 The coach said he has been available at the National Stadium to follow through the performance of the domestic players and has been highly convinced to adjust his squad.

He said it was for the first time to see some of the players whom he described as young, fast and intelligent on the field of play.

The coach said he expects to unveil a blend of young and experienced players for a brief camping ahead of an international friendly to be played next month on the International Football Federation (FIFA) sanctioned calendar date.

The coach said the trial match will highlight a new squad of players to be recruited for international matches particularly the 2014 World Cup qualifier series.

Poulsen did not hesitate to single out Yanga’s conspicuous raising star Said Bahanuzi and Simba utility player Jonas Mkude as some of the young players to gain inclusion into the new squad.
 
“I have seen a galaxy of talented youngsters at the Kagame Cup. They play with lion’s heart and it seems they are not fazed by the prospect of facing any player at the tournament. For sure when time comes I will not hesitate to give them a chance to play in the national team,” said the Taifa Stars mentor.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) information officer Boniface Wambura could not disclose which team Taifa Stars will meet in August.

However, during previous interviews Wambura said TFF is working out on something and they will come out clearly when the discussions are through.

The coach also recommended local football clubs, Yanga, Simba and Azam for progressing at the tournament.

He said though the start was not rosy for host teams, he is very excited that teams have made significant improvement to showcase their credentials as title favourites.

“At the beginning of the tournament, our domestic teams were having it tough but things are now moving well for them. I’m impressed they are progressing at the tournament, taking into consideration that majority of our national team players feature for those clubs,” he said.