Taifa Stars
Tanzania Football Federation have disclosed that they are presently in talk with Nigeria and two other African teams for a warm up match ahead of the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
TFF technical director Ammy Ninje told The Citizen yesterday that they have requested Nigeria, Ghana and Burundi counterparts to play against Taifa Stars before starting their campaign to win the continental title.
The quartet has also qualified for the finals. Being the host, Egypt has been drawn in Group A while Nigeria and Burundi are in Group B and Ghana in Group F.
Ninje said Taifa Stars are also scheduled to play against the Egypt national soccer team, The Pharaohs, on June 13 at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Cairo. He said their plan is to play as many international matches as possible before competing in the Afcon finals.
He said their target is to do wonders in the competition that will see other 23 nations competing for the continental honours.
Tanzania’s last qualification for the Afcon finals was in 1980 in Lagos, Nigeria.
“Only one match has been confirmed which is against Egypt. However, we are still waiting for a response from Ghana, Nigeria and Burundi.
“We have so many technical plans, aiming to make some of the team players get the international exposure,” said Ninje.
*By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde*
Twitter @profseunoyediji
