Tanzania: Danish Coach Succeeds Rodrigo

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

19 May 2011

THE Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has appointed Danish coach Kim Poulsen (52) to take charge of the national youth soccer teams.

Poulsen takes over from Brazilian Rodrigo Stockler, who requested this February to terminate the contract, with two months remaining, so that he could return to his homeland to take care of his father, who is said to be seriously ill.

TFF General Secretary Angetile Osiah told journalists on Thursday that Poulsen has been offered a two-year renewable contract to take charge of the Under-17, 20 and 23 sides.

He is also tasked to come up with short, medium and long term youth development programmes, Osiah said.

Prior to his appointment, Poulsen was a head coach of the Danish First Division side FC Hjørring.

He also had a long stint with another First Division side Næstved Boldklub from 2007 to last year, when he joined FC Hjørring.

The tactician, who graduated from a University College of Education that specialized in sports from 1981-85, is a holder of UEFA Pro Licence Diploma.

He is also an instructor at highest level in Danish Football Association (DBU), as well as observer for the DBU at European and World Cups.

Poulsen is also the Chairman of a boarding school for young talented soccer players from Scandinavia.

He has coached several teams including Singapore national Under 18 and 23 sides from 2002 to 2004. He also coached Singapore Armed Forces FC in 2005.

“The Executive Committee has been satisfied with Poulsen’s good track record and certainly, we believe he has got the qualities to help transform our youth soccer system,” said Osiah.

The Dane will join his compatriot Jan Poulsen, who is the senior national team’s Taifa Stars head coach and Osiah said the decision to bring in a Dane coach at the youth ranks aimed at making sure that there was a harmonisation of philosophies from the youth to senior team level.

“It is certain that coaches who comes from the same country will not differ that match in terms of philosophy and this will help players who earn promotion from the youth to senior level to adopt into the system quite easily”.

However, Osiah could not explain the role of local coach Jamhuri Kihwelo, who was picked as a caretaker coach and successfully managed to see the Under 23 side into the second round of the Africa Olympic Games qualifiers, after dumping out mighty and former Olympic Games gold winners Cameroon.

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