Israel Saria
National soccer team head coach Jan Poulsen is the one to decide whether Kilimanjaro Stars will play against Zanzibar Heroes at the opening of Mapinduzi Cup slated to take place on January 2, according to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) secretary general Angetile Osiah.
Osiah said yesterday that TFF have already received invitation from Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) for the Mainland team (Kilimanjaro Stars) to compete in the Mapinduzi Cup.
He said ZFA invited Kilimanjaro Stars because they want to make the tournament more entertaining and competitive.
He, however, said TFF is facing a dilemma because the same players for the national teams are the ones who will also be required to play for their clubs at the tournament.
He said his office has forwarded the invitation letter to the tournament and competition committee to decide what to do.
“ZFA has invited the Mainland team to play in the opening match of Mapinduzi Cup but I think it’s the coach who can decide on what to do. I believe his decision will be based on technical aspects and nothing else,” he said.
Osiah also said he believed that good communications between the two federations were vital for the development of football in the country.
Mapinduzi Cup is scheduled to take place at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar with three Mainland teams of Yanga , Simba and Azam FC expected to take part.
Miembeni, KMKM and Jamhuri of Pemba will represent Zanzibar in the tournament.
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