AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE suspension of this season’s Premier League matches has given a huge relief to Mtibwa Sugar, with the club’s coach, Thierry Hitimana, stating he wants to use the break to rectify the shortcomings in his squad before the league resumes.
Mtibwa Sugar have not had good results as in 22 outings they have participated in, they have collected 24 points.
The Morogoro side has averaged one point in every clash and as a result they have collected the 24 points and they are placed 15th in the competition standing, thus, risking relegation to First Division League (FDL).
The Premier League is temporarily suspended due to the schedule of the national team, lately preparing for the African Cup of Nations’ qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Libya.
The national team, as well, is featuring in friendly matches against Kenya before the Premier League returns on April 6.
Coach Hitimana said in an effort to make sure they reach their goals they gave Mtibwa Sugar players a few days off and they were, early this week, set to return to camp to continue training.
“We must use this time effectively, we expect the players to return to camp on Monday to continue with the program,” he noted.
He insisted: ”We are aiming at getting fit for the remaining matches so that the team can stay in the Premier League next season.”
The Rwandan coach added that he is aware of the test he is facing as the battle for avoiding relegation is very fierce so there must be a strategic plan to avoid the crisis.
Taifa Stars left for Nairobi, Kenya, last weekend to play two international friendly matches against the country’s national team, Harambee Stars.
Taifa Stars had entered camp on March 8 and practiced at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam under head coach Kim Poulsen.
The Danish coach stated he will use the games to spot the team’s weaknesses.
Taifa Stars will use the games to prepare for the African Nations Cup’s qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea which will be played away on March 25 and the one against Libya, which will take place in Dar es Salaam on March 30.
Taifa Stars are in Group J of the AFCON qualifiers with four points.
Tunisia are the group leaders with 10 points, Equatorial Guinea are in second place with six points and Libya are trailing with three points.
