Tanzania: Yanga, Azam Dominate Stars Squad

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

15 March 2011

Taifa Stars head coach Jan Poulsen has rejigged his squad once again with Young Africans and Azam FC having four players apiece donning the national team jersey.The Danish tactician has dropped nine players and recalled six overseas-based players to his 23-man squad for the African Nations Cup qualifier against Central Africa Republic on March 27 at the National Stadium.

Unveiling the team squad yesterday, the Dane said his lads would start camp tomorrow at Atrium Hotel.

Notable absentees in his squad include: Simba’s ace striker Mussa “Mgosi” Hassan, Young Africans’ midfielder Godfrey Bony, marksman Ramadhan Chombo of Azam and Mtibwa Sugar’s slippery winger Julius Mrope.

The four players were part of the team that squeezed a 1-0 home win over Palestine in an international friendly last month.Simba’s defenders Kelvin Yondani and Juma Jabu, Yanga’s strong defender Chacha Marwa and striker Salum Machaku of Mtibwa Sugar have also been left out.

Poulsen has recalled two players who were dropped from the national team by his predecessor Brazilian Marcio Maximo. The players are: goalkeeper Shaaban Dihile and striker Mwinyi Kazimoto, both from JKT Ruvu.

He has also recalled professionals Idrissa Rajab and Henry Joseph who feature for Sofapaka of Kenya and Norway’s Kongsvinger IL respectively.Strikers Dany Mrwanda and Abdi Kassim, who ply their trade at DT Long An of Vietnam, midfielder Nizar Khalfan from Vancouver Whitecaps of Canada and striker Athuman Machupa of Sweden’s Vasalud IF are also in the team.

Yanga’s defender Stephano Mwasika, who was overlooked when Poulsen named his squad for last month’s friendly against Palestine, has also been recalled.”The team will report at the camp on Thursday (tomorrow) minus Simba players who are now shaping up for the African Champions League first leg match against TP Mazembe,” Poulsen said.

The Mainland champions are expected to leave for DR Congo tomorrow for the match set for Sunday in Lubumbashi.

“We know that we must overcome Central Africa Republic if we are to remain in contention for a place in the next stage of the tournament, I’ll therefore be very serious during the build up to the match,” he said.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Shaaban Kado (Mtibwa Sugar), Juma Kaseja (Simba), Shaaban Dihile Ruvu JKT).

Defenders: Shadrack Nsajigwa, Stephano Mwasika, Nadir “Cannavaro” Haroub (Yanga), Aggrey Morris (Azam FC), Juma Nyoso, Haruna Shamte, (Simba). Midfielders: Nurdin Bakari, (Young Africans), Shaaban Nditi (Mtibwa Sugar), Jabir Aziz, (Azam FC), Henry Joseph (Kongsvinger IL, Norway), Abdi Kassim (D Long, Vietnam), Mwinyi Kazimoto (JKT Ruvu).

Strikers: Danny Mrwanda (DT Long,Vietnam), Mrisho Ngassa, John Bocco (Azam FC), Mohamed Banka, Mbwana Samatta (Simba), Nizar Khalfan (Vancouver Whitecaps) and Athuman Machupa of Vasalund IF, Sweden).

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