Legends cool with Stars selection

DAR ES SALAAM: EXCLUSION of Mbwana Samatta and Simon Msuva from the current Taifa Stars squad has been seen by former football players as an opportunity for emerging talents to make their mark.

The two experienced players were left out of the 23-man squad announced by Taifa Stars interim coach Hemed Suleiman alias ‘Morocco’ on Monday in Dar es Salaam for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Suleiman explained that Samatta and Msuva were dealing with personal matters but will be considered for future selections as they remain integral members of the national team.

Taifa Stars are set to play Ethiopia at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on September 4 and will travel to face Guinea on September 10, with the match scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast.

Commenting on the issue former Stars, Simba player Abdallah Kibadeni ‘king” emphasised the importance of supporting the players who have been selected.

“The focus should be on backing the current squad and the players included have the talent to represent the national team effectively and the absence of Samatta and Msuva is not a significant issue,” Kibadeni said.

He added that the team has performed well in their absence before, and we should respect the technical bench’s decision and give the new players a chance to prove themselves.

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We will have a clearer picture of their impact after the upcoming matches.

On his side Bakari Malima, a former Young Africans player, also weighed in, noting that while Samatta and Msuva bring valuable experience, it is crucial to provide opportunities for other players.

“To discover new talents who can match the calibre of Samatta and Msuva, we must give emerging players a chance as playing for the national team is a significant opportunity for any player and I’m confident that those selected will give their best.”

Malima said The full squad which is set to begin training today includes the following players: Goalkeepers: Ally Salim (Simba), Aboutwalib Mshery (Young Africans) and Yona Amos (Pamba Jiji) Defenders: Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam), Nathaniel Chilambo (Azam), Mohamed Hussein (Simba), Dickson Job (Yanga), Pascal Msindo (Azam), Ibrahim Bacca (Yanga), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Yanga), Nickson Kibabage (Yanga) and Novatus Dismas (Goztepe, Turkey) Midfielders: Himid Mao (Talaal El Geisha, Egypt), Abdulmalik Zakaria (Mashujaa), Adolf Mtasingwa (Azam), Mudathir Yahya (Yanga), Hussein Semfuko (Coastal Union), Edwin Balua (Simba) and Feisal Salum (Azam) Strikers:Wazir Junior (Dodoma Jiji),Cyprian Kachwele (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada), Clement Mzize (Yanga) and Abel Josiah (TDS TFF Academy)