The Tanzania national soccer team coach Kim Poulsen yesterday named a line-up of 24 players who are supposed to open a training camp tomorrow ahead of a friendly international against visiting African champions Zambia on December 23.
The coach named the players just a day after arriving from Kampala where Tanzania teams were competing in the Senior Challenge Cup championship won by hosts Uganda last Saturday.
The coach included four debutants in his squad that would join other regulars who have been frequenting in both Zanzibar Heroes and Mainland team, the Kilimanjaro Stars.
Making debut appearance in the team includes Azam trio and Mtibwa Sugar left back Issa Rashid.
The trio is goalkeeper Aishi Manula who also features for the national Under-20 team, left back Samih Nuhu and striker Mcha Khamis.
The coach has also been impressed by four other players who performed well during the Challenge Cup in Kampala for the Zanzibar Heroes and these are goalkeeper Mwadini Ally, defender Nassoro Masoud, centre backs Nadir Haroub and Aggrey Morris besides Mcha and Nuhu.
Other players making the team and their clubs in brackets are goalkeeper Juma Kaseja, Shomari Kapombe, Amir Maftah (Simba), Erasto Nyoni (Azam), and Yanga’s Kelvin Yondani.
Midfielders are Frank Domayo and Athuman Idd (Yanga), Mrisho Ngasa and Amri Kiemba (Simba), Shabani Nditi (Mtibwa Sugar), Salum Abubakar (Azam) and TP Mazembe’s ace Mbwana Samata.
Strikers are John Bocco (Azam), Simon Msuva (Yanga), Thomas Ulimwengu (TP Mazembe) Mwinyi Kazimoto (Simba).
Taifa Stars, which has no international commitments for the time being besides World Cup qualifiers next year, will be hosting visiting Zambia to gauge their skills.
Zambia won the Nations Cup title for the first time in Gabon last February and will be in Dar es Salaam for final preparations ahead of traveling to South Africa where the Nations Cup will be staged there for the second time since 1996.
In related development, Zambian coach Herve Renard has named a line-up of 24 players who will travel all the way to Dar es Salaam for the friendly encounter.
According to Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), the players are Chintu Kampamba, Chisamba Lungu, Christopher Katongo, Danny Munyau, Davy Kaumbwa, Derrick Mwansa, Evans Kangwa, Felix Katongo and Francis Kasonde.
Others making the team are Given Singuluma, Hichani Himonde, Isaac Chansa, James Chamanga, Jimmy Chisenga, Jonas Sakuwaha, Joshua Titima, Kalililo Kakonje, Moses Phiri, Mukuka Mulenga, Rainford Kalaba, Rodrick Kabwe, Salulani Phiri, Shadrack Malambo and Stoppila Sunzu.
Source: The Guardian (Tanzania)
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