Uganda’s opponents Taifa Stars off to camp in Egypt

By Emmanuel Sekago

Following the decision of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) choosing to host her qualifiers in Ismailia, Egypt after the African football governing body (CAF) banned Uganda’s stadiums and also busy in regional tours.

Uganda’s opponents the national football team of Tanzana aka Taifa Stars are off to camp in Egypt ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group F qualifier. It should be noted that Uganda and Tanzania will face off in Ismailia, Egypt, on March 24^th.

According to sources in Dar-es salaam, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has opted the team to camp in Egypt ahead of the encounter. The two teams will meet again on March 28th at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

With the  first batch that will not comprise pf Young Africans (Yanga) players, who will be in the CAF Confederation Cup assignment against Tunisian side US Monastir on Sunday have left while the foreign-based players will connect directly to the destination.

The team is under head coach Algerian Adel Amrouche who selected 31 players. Among the players is Yanga’s Feisal Salum alias Fei Toto, who is now out of competitive football since December last year wanting to leave the club.

The players selected to form a provisional squad are Aishi Manula, Beno Kakolanya, Mzamiru Yassin (Simba), Metacha Mnata, Kibwana Shomari, Dickson Job, Ibrahim Baka, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Mudathir Yahya, Salum Abubakari and Feisal Salum who are from Yanga.

Others are Datius Peter, Abdallah Mfuko, Anuary Jabir, David Luhende (Kagera Sugar), Yahya Mbegu ( Ihefu FC), Sospeter Bajana, Abdul Suleiman (Azam FC), Yusuph Kagoma (Singida Big Stars), Edmund John (Geita Gold FC), Khalid Habibu (KMKM) and Ramadhan Makame, who plays for Bodrumspor in Turkey.

Also, on the list are Simon Msuva (Al-Qadsiar, Saudi Arabia), Mbwana Samatta, Kelvin John (KRC Genk, Belgium), Novatus Dismass (Zuite Waregen, Belgium), Alphonce Mabula (FK Spartak Subotica, Serbia) and Ben Starkie (Basford United, England).

Others are Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Town, England), Ally Msengi (Moroka Swallows, South Africa), Himid Mao (Ghazl El Mahalla, Egypt) and Saidi Khamis, who plays for Al Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, Taifa Stars unveiled special jerseys for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, the new jerseys introduced on Friday afternoon in Dar-es salaam are for both home and away matches (blue and yellow), traditional colors of the team and this will be the first assignment for the recently unveiled Taifa Stars coach Adel Amrouche who is eager to drive the country’s flag bearers to prosperity.