Tanzania/Nigeria: Bring On Nigerians, Says Kihwelu

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Doris Maliyaga

26 May 2011

National U-23 soccer team head coach Jamhuri Kihwelu believes his lads have what it takes to progress to the final round of the 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers at the expense of Nigeria.The youth team, now camping in the city, takes on the Flying Eagles on June 5 in the first leg qualifier of the quadrennial Games at the National Stadium.

“Being the coach of the team, I promise we’ll expel the Nigerians. I am 100 per cent confident that my boys will make Tanzanians proud,” Kihwelu said told The Citizen yesterday.

Kihwelu’s team is still reeling after bowing out of this year’s All Africa Games.While understanding the high level of play set to be on offer in the two-legged qualifier, Kihwelu is sure there will be no slip-ups for his lads as they finalise preparations.

He said he would spend most of this week polishing his strikers to ensure they hit the Flying Eagles by at least three clear goals.”Nigeria and Cameroon youth teams are among the best sides in the world with two different styles but one obsession, one aim: having the ball at their feet,” he said.

“Cameroon always prefer long passes when under pressure while Nigerians are devilishly precise and calm when they possess the ball, but we’re unfazed,” he added.

Kihwelu’s team, gunning for their first appearance in the Olympic Games finals, advance to this stage after ousting Cameron early this year.For his part, team captain Salum Telela said he and his teammates were in high spirits, looking forward to silencing their hyped opponents.

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