Africa-Press – Tanzania. TIAFA Stars skipper Mbwana Samatta said they will play with strong determination against Democratic Republic of Congo to register a win before heading to face Madagascar on Sunday.
The country’s envoys will be in action at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam tomorrow for their crucial 2022 World Cup qualifiers match which will help to decide their fate in the world’s biggest football showdown.
Their opponents DR Congo are already in the country tuning up for the big game knowing in advance that they drew 1-1 with Taifa Stars coming from behind to level the scoreboard through Simon Msuva.
A triumph to Stars will see them stamping 10 points with one away game in hand versus Madagascar hence, tomorrow’s encounter is of much to the Tanzanian envoys.
“Both games are crucial for us, but Thursday’s (tomorrow) match is the one we are focusing a lot about because it will give us clear direction about our destiny in the qualifiers,” said Samatta who trained with his colleagues yesterday.
He added that his teammates who began training programs early have had enough time to grasp what the coach Kim Poulsen wants from them hence they are looking forward to the match.
“I have spoken with some players and they have assured me that they are ready for the battle in order to fly high the national flag and make Tanzanians proud of their team,” the captain said.
In his remarks, Aaron Nyanda from Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Marketing Department, said they have put in place affordable entry charges to enable more fans turn up and rally behind their team.
“VIP B and C will go for 5000/- will ordinary seats will be accessed by 3000/- only as such, we expect many people to storm at the venue as we have been permitted to house 30,000 supporters,” he said.
Again, Nyanda disclosed that all Covid-19 prevention protocols will be taken into consideration on the day as requested by FIFA and CAF as such, they do expect many people to flock the stadium.
He also seized the opportunity to laud President Samia Suluhu Hassan and other key government officials for their massive support they pump in to support the growth of football standard in the country.
Another hot match in group J will see Madagascar taking on Benin with the former sitting at the base of the table with three points as such; unpalatable results after 90 minutes of play will see them crashing out of the contest.
On the other hand, Benin just like Taifa Stars have netted seven points and consider their Madagascar encounter as a gateway to the Promised Land hence; it will be a neck to neck game.
It should be noted that one best team from each of the ten groups will march into the two- legged home and away knockout match of which five teams will represent Africa in the FIFA World Cup finals to be staged in Qatar.
So far, Morocco and Senegal have advanced into the knockout stage of the qualifiers with two matches to go as such; they are waiting for other eight teams to join them.
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