Author: BENJAMIN BEN
AfricaPress-Tanzania: TAIFA Stars have been lined up to play a signal testing match against Burundi on October 11th at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The friendly tie which falls on FIFA calendar will be used by the nation flag carriers to gear up for the 2020/21 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage games set to resume in November this year after being postponed following the outbreak of Covid-19.
According to the press release from the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) disbursed yesterday, Star’s Head Coach Etienne Ndayiragije is expected to name his new squad on October 2nd.
The country’s envoys are packed in group J together with Libya, Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea which will tussle up to earn a slot into the finals to be played in Cameroon next year.
The available AFCON fixture shows that Stars will travel to play Tunisia on November 9th in the first leg battle while the reverse clash is expected on November 11th at the giant Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the city.
After that, Ndayiragije’s army will again be on the battlefield on March 22nd against Equatorial Guinea at Sinaba Stadium, Daveyton prior to hosting Libya on March 30th at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
From two matches played, Stars have won once (2-1) against Equatorial Guinea before losing away 2-1 to Libya hence they have three points.
Tunisia tops the group J with six points while Taifa Stars are second with three points similar to Libya but goal difference favours the former.
The fourth slot is occupied by Equatorial Guinea who are yet to stamp a victory in the contest.
Ndayiragije, who succeed Nigerian coach Emmanuel Amunike at the helm of Stars, already disclosed that he is making a good plan to select new generation of players to replace some of the senior team players who are nearing to hang up their boots.
However, the Burundian trainer has a big task ahead to ensure that he propels Stars to prosperity during the forthcoming Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to begin from January 16th to February 7th next year.
Striker Ditram Nchimbi scored the winner in 2-1 victory against Sudan to negotiate his side into the prestigious CHAN finals to unfold in Cameroon where Tanzania is stacked in group D together with Zambia, Namibia and Guinea.
Pundits already described the group as fair for Stars such that they just need to remain focused and play lungs out to emerge winners of the CHAN title.
