Tanzania/Nigeria: Upbeat U-23 Team Off to Nigeria

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

15 June 2011

Dar es Salaam — Buoyant national Under-23 team fly to Nigeria today for the return leg of the 2012 Olympic Games return leg qualifier against the Flying Eagles on Saturday.The Jamhuri Kihwelu boys head into the encounter with a 1-0 advantage, but face a tall order to send the Nigerians packing on their home soil.

However, Kihwelu popularly known as Julio expressed his optimism of mustering positive results and sail through to the final stage.”Our Achilles heel was in the midfield, but with the addition of Jabir Aziz and Mbwana Samatta, I’m 100 per cent confident that we’ll spring another surprise,” he said.

The former Simba and Taifa Stars defender added that he is hoping his side to produce an improved defensive display come Sunday.Nigeria, who were dominant but failed to utilise a host of chances almost a fortnight ago, entertain Tanzania in Benin City in what promises to be a nail-baiting showdown.

“We’re going there for either a win or draw, defeat is not what my players are thinking about. We can’t let this chance slip through our fingers.”I would prefer a counterattacking game plan while defending deeply, it’s true the Nigerians will put us under a lot of pressure, but I’ve a tactical way of containing them,” the outspoken coach said.

The coach said that he would employ a 4-5-1 formation believing that it would help tame the Flying Eagles. “The most important thing now is to protect our advantage while pouring forward when necessary. We can even beat them if the players follow my instructions properly,” Julio said. However, the team’s preparations suffered as setback after goalkeeper Shaaban Kado and midfielder Juma Mandingo picked nasty injuries.

Striker Mrisho Ngassa, who has yet to play a single match for the Under-23 team, will also not travel due to alleged indiscipline. Team skipper Salum Telela said: “The mood is great. The players have been in high spirits during training and are working hard to improve their fitness levels.

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