TANZANIA is expected to plunge further deep down in the FIFA World
rankings following Taifa Stars’ humiliating 3-0 loss to Zimbabwe
Warriors on Sunday.
Now ranked lowly 144th, after dropping
down 12 places last month, Taifa Stars are likely to drop further in
next ranking, a situation that could hurt the value of the local talents
in the global market.
Fifa normally announces the new rankings
on 24th day of every month. Inferior ranking has been the biggest
hurdle for local players seeking to play in the big European leagues and
other popular leagues.
Speaking after the game, Taifa Stars
coach, Charles Mkwasa, admitted that his charges were outwitted by the
Warriors, adding the hosts were better organized in a team work basis.
Mkwasa attributed his side’s massive loss to inadequate preparations and
fatigue.
“Our team was a little bit weak because
of the preparation we had,” Mkwasa said. Taifa Stars players were
assembled just a few days after the end of the Premier League’s first
round and lack of team work was so apparent in their match against
Zimbabwe.
But despite losing heavily there were
moments when Stars players looked tactically better than their opponents
who relied most on better organisation and superior teamwork.
Commenting on Zimbabwe’s chances at the coming African Cup of Nations
(AFCON) finals, Mkwasa said the Warriors must raise their game since
they will be up against continental big-wigs.
“The Warriors still needed to work
harder if they are to make an impression at Afcon.” He said they look as
underdogs in the Group that consists of Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia.
“Zimbabwe have been together for some time and they capitalised on our
mistakes. We learnt something from Zimbabwe. But they have to work hard.
Our team was very weak and they will meet stronger teams at Afcon,” he
warned.
“They made full use of the mistake we
made and they won the game. They are very good team, very experienced
players, I salute them.” Mkwasa, who replaced Dutchman Mart Nooij in
June, suggested that Zimbabwe could come to Tanzania for another
friendly before they jet off for Gabon.
Poor teamwork and lack of creativity
cost Taifa Stars dearly in their 3-0 ugly loss to hosts Zimbabwe at the
National Sports Stadium in Harare on Sunday. Zimbabwe scored all three
goals, one in the first half and two others shortly after resumption,
due to defensive blunders and disorganisation. Much of what evidenced
from Stars came from individual skills.
Mbwana Samatta who was a constant menace
to the Zimbabweans, lacked support as there was no serious game plan
against well-drilled Zimbabwean players, the majority of them playing
professional soccer in the big African European leagues.
The home side had to withstand some
early pressure in the opening stages and they might have been behind had
it not been for the brilliance of Tatenda Mukuruva, who reacted well to
keep out Belgian based Mbwana Samata pointblank shot from inside the
box.
Taifa Stars appeared to be coping well
with some growing Zimbabwe pressure, but they suffered at the hands of
Knowledge Musona who scored the opening goal of the match from a headed
assist by Nyasha Mushekwi.
The goal seemed to inspire Zimbabwe into
action and they came out of the traps quickest in the second period,
Mushekwi almost earning himself a goal with a fine strike, only to be
denied by the dive of goalkeeper Aishi Manula down low.
The all-important second goal arrived in
the 54th minute and it was no more than the hosts deserved, as Mathew
Rusike reacted quickest to a lost ball in an exciting one-two exchange
of passing before producing a standout bullet shot from outside the box
beyond the reach of Manula.
The Zimbabwean Warriors were able to add
some icing to the cake, as Nyasha Mushekwi added a late effort this
time with Musona providing the assist with a delightful cross.
In retrospect, the Zimbabwean football
governing body(FAZ) has thanked its Tanzanian counterpart TFF for
accepting to play a friendly with Zimbabwe. In the statement sent to the
President of Tanzania Football Federation(TFF) Jamal Malinzi, FAZ
President, Andrew Kamanga thanked TFF for honouring the invitation and
promised the Warriors to play against Taifa Stars on their way to Afcon
finals.
“Once again let me thank you for the
Friendly, I am sure this relationship will go on forever, in the
following weeks I will arrange that my team comes thru as agreed to play
yours on their way to Ivory Coast or Egypt whichever way is convenient,
and thanks again for agreeing to play Zimbabwe at such short notice and
seeing to it that your boys were here in time for the match,” “Such
display of brotherhood existed even during the times of Legendary
President Julius Nyerere who was the King in ensuring the independence
of my country.
God bless you abundantly.”
source- www.dailynews.co.tz
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