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It is an honour to play for the national team

Editor
Daily News; Thursday,February 05, 2009 @21:15

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A row is likely to emerge between Yanga and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) over the use of the team’s players. At least ten Yanga players are in the national team ‘Taifa Stars’ squad.

The players are Shadrack Nsajigwa, Nadir Haroub, Amir Maftah, Nurdin Bakari, Geoffrey Bonny, Athumani Idd, Abdi Kassim, Jerson Tegete, Mrisho Ngassa and Kigi Makasi. Both Yanga and Taifa Stars badly need the services of the players at this crucial moment when both teams are preparing to take part in international competitions.

Taifa Stars are preparing for the Africa Nation championship (CHAN) set to kick off in Cote d’ Ivoire from February 22 to March 8. Yanga are building up for a return leg tie of Africa Champions against Etoile d'Or Mirontsy of the Comoros in Moroni on February 14. In the first leg tie, Yanga thumped the Comoros 8-1.

While report say Yanga are planning to depart for Moroni on Tuesday, Taifa Stars will be in action the following day against Zimbabwe in a build up match in Dar es Salaam. Coach Marcio Maximo insisted that he wants to use Zimbabwe match to gauge his players and select the final squad that will make the trip to Cote d’ Ivoire.

Early this week, TFF told Yanga that the federation was sure that the club will be honest and put national interest ahead by letting the players train with the national team. The TFF suggested that Yanga drop the players from their trip to Comoros, given that Jangwani Street team are almost through to the next round after their emphatic victory in the first leg.

Yanga leaders do not buy the idea that this is not a crucial game for Yanga. They argue that could be beside the point because in football anything can happen. We suggest that wisdom be used here. Apparently, it is the highest honour for a player to represent his national side. If Taifa Stars are serious about winning the CHAN, then Maximo must be allowed to do his job.

He sees the players infrequently and denying him access to his players for friendlies will only weaken the national side in the long term. And who will take Maximo seriously if, after a poor performance at the inaugural event, he argues that he didn't get enough time with his players? That's why he has to scrap for access at every turn. As for the players, some may well value their club sides more highly. Yes, the clubs pay their wages and yes, it is to them that they have a day-to-day responsibility. But playing for the national team is the highest honour and a measure of patriotism.

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