Fight for victory, Bendera urges Stars players

Deputy Minister for Information, Culture and Sports Joel Bendera yesterday urged Taifa Stars players to play for victory in their tomorrow`s 2010 World Cup and African Cup Nations qualifying match against Cape Verde.

Stars leave this morning for Cape Verde for the match.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam during the national flag handing-over ceremony, Bendera told players that they were the best in the country and that was why they have been entrusted by the whole country with the responsibility of competing on its behalf in various football tournaments.

“You are indebted to the whole country therefore go there and fight to win because you are good players and once all of you play with maximum concentration, commitment and objectivity we will surely win,“ Bendera stated.

Bendera added that both the government and Tanzanians are supporting Taifa Stars because in recent years the team has been playing well apart from minor weaknesses.

Moreover, he urged the fans and the media to support the team so that it can perform well instead of providing destructive criticisms which demoralise players.

Stars coach Marcio Maximo said that to have big teams such as Cameroon and Cape Verde in the same group is a big challenge to his team and with commitment and team spirit they hope to overcome that challenge.

He further promised that the team will work hard with high spirit so that they could emerge victorious and be the motivation for the team in future.

Similarly, Stars skipper Henry Joseph, on behalf of his team mates, promised that they are going to work hard in order to win the match.

Stars played a 1-1 draw in their last match staged at the new National Stadium in Dar es Salaam against Mauritius one week ago.

After playing Cape Verde, Stars will play at home against Cameroon on June 14.