Africa-Press – Tanzania. TAIFA Stars have confirmed that they will miss four players Bakari Mwamnyeto, Shomari Kapombe, Erasto Nyoni and Jonas Mkude in their 2022 World Cup qualifiers group J against Benin tomorrow.
Clarifying on the development yesterday was the team’s manager Nadir Haroub, who said Mwamnyeto, Kapombe and Nyoni are nursing injuries while Nyoni has family issues to take care.
Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the city will host the first leg match prior to the reverse encounter to be played in Benin on Sunday.
It will be the match between group J leaders Taifa Stars versus second placed Benin with both having four points from their played two fixtures hence a winner tomorrow will extend the gap.
DR Congo are third on the group with two points garnered after registering two draws while the fourth slot is occupied by Madagascar who are point-less at the base of the table.
“Their absence will not have any negative effect because we have other players capable to do a good job for the country because our anthem in this competition is to qualify and nothing else,” the manager said.
Haroub also disclosed that the addition of two players in the squad who are Shomari Kibwana (Young Africans) and Kibu Denis (Simba) will help to add something positive to the team ahead of their two back to back qualifying matches.
The duo were not included in the initial squad named by coach Kim Poulsen recently as the latter was reportedly having problems with his citizenship before the issue was solved few days ago and he has been granted Tanzania citizenship.
For Kibwana, it was just a matter of time to be included in the senior team following his massive performance at his parent club Yanga were he is a regular starter and always showing high class skills.
Confirming about the duo’s inclusion in the squad was the team’s manager Nadir Haroub who said their arrival will add something meaningful ahead of the important match.
He, however, insisted that preparations are unfolding well and that each member in the squad is looking forward to deliver in the coming match. Poulsen’s paraded brigade comprises Aishi Manula (Simba), Metacha Mnata (Polisi Tanzania), Wilbow Maseke (Azam), Ramadhan Kabwili (Young Africans), Shomari Kapombe (Simba), Israel Mwenda (Simba), Erasto Nyoni (Simba) and Dickson Job (Young Africans).
Others are Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans), Kennedy Juma (Simba), Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam), Mohammed Hussein (Simba), Edward Manyama (Azam), Nickson Kibabage (KMC) and Meshack Mwita (Kagera Sugar).
Also, in the squad are Novatus Dismas (Maccabi Tel Aviv-Israel), Mzamiru Yassin (Simba), Jonas Mkude (Simba), Feisal Salum (Young Africans), John Bocco (Simba), Iddy Seleman (Azam), Abdul Hamis (Coastal Union), Mbwana Samatta (Royal Antwerp-Belgium), Reliant Lusajo (Namungo) and Simon Msuva (Wydad Casablanca-Morocco).
