Juma Jabu faces race against time

kilimasera · 2010-03-24T00:29:42+00:00

LEFT back Juma Jabu, remain the main injury worry as Taifa Stars stepped up training ahead of the crunch African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier game against Somalia in Dar es Salaam this weekend. The match will be played as a one-off tie at the Uhuru Stadium on Saturday because war-torn Somalia are unable to host international football fixtures. Somalia team is expected to arrive in Dar es Salaam on Thursday ready for the match. It emerged that the diminutive defender has developed a thigh injury, while playing for his club Simba in top flight league matches. Jabu, who is a regular starter at his club, could not play in their away Confederation Cup match against Lengthens in Harare last Friday, where Simba won 3-0. Taifa Stars Doctor Juma Sufiani said today that the player was still undergoing treatment and was recovering quickly. We hope for the best. Were closely monitoring him and if he passes the fitness test within these two days, may be coach Maximo (Marcio), will consider him for selection in the game against Somalia, said Sufiani. Jabu has been one of the Taifa Stars spines in defence since Maximo took charge of the team some three years ago. His reflexive nature, pace and crosses from the left side, have always proved dreadful for Stars opponents. However, in Jabus absence, Maximo has got enough to choose from and fill in the vacuum. Stephano Mwasika is definitely an automatic replacement. He is a natural left footer and he can add a bit of physical stature and tight marking. There is also Salum Kanoni, who came in as Jabus replacement for Simba in Harare and had a great game. Another choice for Maximo is Nourdin Bakari utility player. He is fantastic in midfield role but can equally play perfectly in several positions. Bakari always proved to be perfect left wing back, when he was playing for Simba before crossing over to archrivals Young Africans two seasons ago. Maximos lads resumed camp last week, to shape up for the game that Stars need to be more offensive to make sure that they dispatch off Somalia and emulate their last years success when they reached the finals of the inaugural event held in Ivory Coast. Speaking about their preparations before Tanzanias game, Somalia captain Yusuf Ali vowed to ignore their unrest, which had them barred from hosting international matches. He said they are ready for the match and that they are confident to win. We play in military or police camps and train there. We will face Tanzania and we believe that we can win, he told goal.com. Training has been terrible at times because there is a lot of fighting and we have seen it during training but we do our best. The national team is very important for Somali people, it is their national team, but we dont have a stable country. Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) General Secretary Fredrick Mwakalebela said if the match ends in a draw in regular 90 minutes, they will go direct to penalty shootouts. Winner of the match will then face Rwanda, where the first leg match will be on May 1.

Thread starter kilimasera
Start date Mar 24, 2010

kilimasera

JF-Expert Member

Mar 24, 2010

George Kahangwa

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Juma Jabu faces race against time

kilimasera

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George Kahangwa

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