Israel Saria
Taifa Stars play today their third African Nations Cup/2010 World Cup qualifying match against Cameroon (The Indomitable Lions) at the new National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Stars have been performing poorly in the qualifying stage as they played a 1-1 draw against Mauritius in the first game before losing 1-0 to Cape Verde in the second qualifier match staged away last weekend.
Cameroon lead Group A which involves Taifa Stars, Cape Verde, and Mauritius. Stars are third with only one point.
The team under the tutelage of Brazilian tactician Marcio Maximo will be facing an uphill task of beating Cameroon in the match which will be graced by Members of Parliament.
However, today`s anxiously-awaited match will not be easy for Stars considering that Cameroon are among top teams in the continent with best known international players.
Maximo has said they have been well prepared to duel the visitors although he admitted that they will face a big challenge.
Stars will today miss their skipper Henry Joseph as he has two yellow cards.
International striker Nizar Khalfan and Abdi Kassim who have been nursing injuries are in good shape and will be in today`s squad.
Maximo`s defenders will this afternoon face a tough task of hampering Cameroon`s international strikers like Samuel Eto’o and Co. from reaching custodian Ivo Mapunda.
Meanwhile, The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President Leodegar Tenga yesterday argued Stars players to play hard to win today’s match.
“I need you to play hard to win the match and so to attain three important points which will enable us to survive to the next stage. Don`t be afraid of the Cameroon’s big names,“ he said.
After today`s tie, Stars will remain with three games ahead, one at home and two away.
Cameroon will remain training in Dar es Salaam preparing to host Stars in the next round match set for next Saturday.
- SOURCE: Guardian
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