The head coach of Tanzania’s national team, Kim Poulsen has named youngster Kelvin Pius John on the squad ahead of their first Group F TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2022 qualifier tie.
Taifa Stars will play away to Niger in a Group F match to be played in Cotonou, Benin.
Poulsen named the 28-man squad on Friday which excluded Simba SC’s striker John Rapahel Bocco. The team is expected to start training next week ahead of the match on June 4th, 2022.
Youngster Kelvin Pius John who features for Belgian side Gent will be hoping to make his first appearance in an AFCON qualifier for the Taifa Stars. He was part of the team that played two international friendly matches against Sudan and the Central African Republic in March this year.
“We need to work hard and make sure we have a good start in the qualifiers before we host Algeria in the second match in the Group,” added the head coach.
Skipper Mbwana Samatta who also plies his trade in Belgium with Antwerp together with other experienced players Simon Msuva, Shomari Kapombe and goalkeeper Aishi Manula are also part of the squad.
Taifa Stars squad
Aishi Manula, metacha Mnata, Abutwalib Mshery, Shomari Kapombe, Kibwana Shomari, Haji Mnoga, Dickson Job, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Kennedy Juma, Abdallah Salum Kheri, Mohamed Hussein, Nickson Kibabage, Himid Mao, Novatus Dismas, Mzamiru Yassin, Aziz Andabwile, Simon Msuva, Kelvin Pius John, Feisal Salum, Ben Starkie, Mbwana Samatta, Farid Mussa, Abdul Seleman, Reliants Lusajo, Kibu Denis, George Mpole, Ibrahim Joshua, Salum Abubakar
