The national youth soccer team coach Rodrigo Stockler yesterday unveiled a provisional squad of 31 players ahead of their African Nations Cup away qualifier duel against Cote d’Ivoire later this month.
Stockler said the team would start training session on Monday but without one of their star player Thomas Ulimwengu.
Ulimwengu is in Sweden where he travelled to attend trials in his bid to secure green pastures for his growing career.
He is expected to rejoin the team soon after the trials.
Stockler, who took the coaching post last year, acknowledges the gravity of the match against the West African side but remained optimistic to sail through.
The Brazilian coach has lined up at least three friendlies against counterparts of Mainland’s top flight sides of Azam, Simba and Young Africans.
Stockler’s provisional squad includes Kabali Faraji, Salehe Malandi, Mahmoud Othman, Salum Telela, Tumba Swedi, Amani Kyata, Ombe Mtaki, Abuu Ubwa, Ali Feruzi, Mahengo Jonathan, Salvatory Johannes and Omega Seme.
Others are Furaha Tambo, Salum Abubakar, Rajabu Isihaka, Ibrahim Jebi, Leonard Myinga, Mbwana Samatta, Jukumu Kibanda, Yusuf Soka, Abdallah Bunu, Gerome Lambele, Hamis Mroki, Kevin Charles, Issa Rashid Issa, Hamis Thabit, Adil Adam, Simon Msuya and Amaan Juma.
The team would also make use of the domestic friendlies to gauge their skills ahead of next month’s East and Central African under-20 championship to be staged in Asmara.
The Tanzania under-20 team eye African Nations Cup qualifier berth after dispatching Malawi in May.
The team is back into continental championship after serving a three-year ban imposed by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, following a dreadful age cheating scandal.
