Tanzania V Zambia: Poulsen Abandons Cautious Approach to Salvage A Draw

While CECAFA Senior challenge Cup should be treated as a tournament for testing players and experimenting, Poulsen thinks otherwise. The bulky of his squad selection are familiar faces. Against Zambia he took no chance especially in the first half. Perhaps according Zambia too much respect, Poulsen started with five midfielders in a tactical system that closely resembled a 4-5-1.

Frank Domayo, Abubakar Salum and Hassan Dilunga flooded the midfield. Kiemba and Ngassa played in the flanks but restricted their forward movement; they were more in the midfield zone. Kiemba who always plays just behind the two main strikers, Ulimwengu and Samatta was this time far removed from Elias Maguli up front.  This left Elias Maguli isolated as a lone striker. 

Closely surrounded by three defenders, Elias Maguli proved to be of little help. The virgin muddy  pitch did not help matter. Ngassa who was expected to dribble inwards to support Maguli could not do it thanks to the poor state of the pitch. 

Unsurprisingly, Tanzania dominated possession in the first half but did not offer any threat going forward. There was a reluctance to throw many players forward into attack.  This was a lesson he learnt the hard way from Ivory Coast who cruelly exposed the large gaps left by Stars when pushing forward. 

Therefore despite the long spells of good possession Tanzania only managed two shots. One shot was off-target when Amri Kiemba set through Ngassa who fluffed away his tame shot despite being one-on-one with the Zambian goalkeeper, Nsabata Toaster.

Zambia’s goal four minutes to the breather offered a clue to what Tanzania lacked. While Tanzania had only Maguli up front, Zambia seemed to always have at least two strikers up front. Their lead came as no surprise.  Felix Katongo pin-point cross was met by Ronald Kampamba’s well-hit header. Said Morad could have done better with his marking. Kampamba’s header was perfectly stamped and addressed to the back of the net. Mapunda despite his reflex and outstretching himself had no chance whatsoever. By the end of the first half, Chipolopolo had more shots on targets. Ivo Mapunda was consequently the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Sensing defeat, Poulsen threw caution to the wind and switched into attacking in the second half. Without introducing any substitutions, he pushed Kiemba further to link up with Elias Maguli who had been isolated in the first half. Abubakar Salum and Hassan Dilunga were encouraged to venture forward. As a result Tanzania looked more promising in the second half. It only took three minutes for the equalizer to materialize. Salum Abubakar’s corner was headed home by Said Morad who was impressive throughout the match bar the poor marking that gave Zambia the lead.

Looking back through the entire match, Poulsen might be frustrated with the draw. Over the ninety minutes his side came top. Had he not taken the over-cautious approach in the first half, perhaps he would have ended his seven match winless-streak.  A draw was a fair result to both sides despite Tanzania’s possession dominancy.

CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup: Poulsen and His Call-ups

                                                     

Kim Poulsen called up a 23-man squad for the CECAFA Senior challenge cup campaign that kicks off today in Nairobi, Kenya. He will have the unenviable task of culling up his squad. Three players will have to be dropped from the official squad list. CECAFA rules allow a maximum squad of 20 players.

Ivo Mapunda of Gor Mahia, Azam’s promising youngster, Aishi Manula and Deogratius Munishi from the defending league champions, Young Africans will be competing for the number one jersey i. Manula and Munishi are yet to make national team debuts. 

Mapunda is likely to get the nod. In Stars’ warm up friendly against Zimbabwe’s warrior he put an impressive shift. He comfortably kept a clean sheet. In Mapunda, Poulsen has one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the region.

Poulsen’s faith in Aishi Manula is likely to keep the youngster as the immediate back up to Mapunda. Should anything happen to Mapunda, either an injury or suspension, Manula will take up his place in the goalposts. His frame gives him good box presence. Munishi's recent splendid league display means he firmly remain an option. He boasts of height advantage.

Defenders called up include; Erasto Nyoni, Himid Mao, Ismail Gambo, Said Morad all from Azam. Kelvin Yondani of (Yanga), and Michael Pius (Ruvu Shooting). Erasto Nyoni and Kelvin Yondani are automatic pick in the starting eleven. 

Erasto Nyoni will take his place in the right full-back position. Kelvin Yondani will put a shift as a centre-back. Michael Pius and Said Morad will be fighting to partner up Yondani. Morad seems to be the favourite partner to Yondani. 

The tournament could be a perfect opportunity for the versatile Himid Mao to lay claim to the left full-back position. The absence of Kapombe might afford him a good run of matches to firmly present his case. Erasto Nyoni is the only natural full-back in the squad and so Poulsen could still pull up surprise in his selection.

Midfielders up for selection include; Amri Kiemba (Simba), Athuman Idd (Yanga), Frank Domayo (Yanga), Haroun Chanongo (Simba), Hassan Dilunga (Ruvu Shooting), Ramadhan Singano (Simba) and Salum Abubakar (Azam).

Judging from past selections, Frank Domayo and Salum Abubakar inclusion in the starting eleven is a given. Frank Domayo work rate is necessary to shore up the midfield. Salum Abubakar remains essential for maintaining possession but he limits the team forward movement. His first team inclusion divides opinions in some quarters. 

Others would prefer seeing Athumani Idd starting ahead of Abubakar. Idd has the vision for long range passes needed to unlock defences. Given a place in the team, he adds the much needed counter-attacking element. While Salum Abubakar tends to circulate the ball, Idd often goes for long range passes needed for rapid transition from defence to attack.

Hassan Dilunga would be relishing another chance in his fight to displace the out of form Amri Kiemba. 

The newly signed Yanga’s youngster earned his debut against Zimbabwe relegating Kiemba to the bench. However he did not put a tight case to guarantee him a starting place. Kiemba’s club form with Simba has been poor but he often tends to be at his best while in the national colours. 

Forwards: Elias Maguli (Ruvu Shooting), Faridi Musa (Azam), Joseph Kimwaga (Azam), Juma Luizio (Mtibwa Sugar), Mbwana Samata (TP Mazembe, DRC), Mrisho Ngasa (Yanga) and Thomas Ulimwengu (TP Mazembe).

The services of the TP Mazembe duo, Samatta and Ulimwengu will be missed in the first two games. Poulsen will have to tweak his team particularly in the first match against Zambia. Mrisho Ngassa will be employed as a striker.  Elias Maguli could partner up Ngassa up front. Juma Luizio and Joseph Kimwaga are likely to be involved as late substitutes.

Overall given the combination of experienced and fresh legs, Kilimanjaro should not face trouble qualifying for the quarter final stage. Even if Zambia top the group second place finish can be comfortably attained. But with pressure mounting on him, Poulsen knows only advancing to the final would throw off the increasing number of monkeys on his back.

Taifa Stars v Zimbabwe:In-Form Kazimoto Serves A Reminder

Taifa Stars coach, Kim Poulsen had the good fortune of drawing the experience and expertise of his five foreign based players, Kazimoto, Ulimwengu, Samatta, Kapombeand Mapunda in the Tuesday draw with Zimbabwe’s Warrior.Ulimwengu and Samatta have become the bedrock of Stars’s attacking department, their place in the team unquestionable. Kapombe had been out for a long time due to injury since his move to France fourth division club, AS Cannes. Nothing much was expected of him due to his layoff. 

And so the focus was on the other two foreign based players, MwinyiKazimoto and Ivo Mapunda. Both were not newcomers. The veteran goalkeeper, Mapunda was making a return after a four year absence. Kazimoto recent performance in the national colours before his Qatar move had been a see-saw affair. Good in one match then bad in the following match. Inconsistence had slowly crept into his form.

He had a bad day in his last match against Uganda Cranes. He was completely below par in a disorganized midfield that uncharacteristically surrendered possession to the Ugandans. It was no surprise Stars lost 1-0 at home. That was the last to be seen of him in Taifa Stars’ jersey till Tuesday’s clash. In between he managed to complete a difficulty transfer to Qatar-based second division club, Al-Markhiya.

His transfer was not only shrouded in mysteries , it was a heavy gamble on his part. The Qatar second division league consists of just six teams. The quality and competitive nature of the league cast doubt on whether the diminutive midfielder had taken a career step forward or backward. (Read Kazimoto's Transfer Saga )

Reports from Qatar indicate he has integrated well into the team. He has played all his club’s league matches, a sign the coach has faith in his ability and performance. As widely expected, Poulsen granted him a starting place. Kazimoto did not need time to register his metamorphosis in the eyes of the sparse crowd that had attended the match. He appeared fit and rejuvenated. 

While he had been more defensive in the past, on Tuesday he was more attack minded. He mostly played well-measured forward passes that set chances for Ulimwengu and Samatta who were attacking from the flanks.

Devoid of the service of Athumani Idd who was once again benched Stars’ penetration largely depended on Kazimoto.  He was the only Stars’ player who could switch play from one flank to another with long range passes as the rest struggled with short square passes that failed to threaten Zimbabwe.

His set piece deliveries were a joy to watch. His absolute precision lifted fans off their seats on more than one occasion. Stars’ best scoring chances coincided with his presence in the field. Perhaps Stars would have walked away with a victory had it not been for our strikers who chose to once again advertise their profligacy.

His substitution seven minutes after the breather gave the Zimbabwe warrior opportunity to dominate proceedings in the second half.  His fifty two minutes cameo was enough to serve a reminder that our football needs more foreign based players. Kazimoto’s confidence, calmness and composure while it endorsed long time view that the nation has talented football it highlighted the fact that our players need abroad exposure.

Though he was not severely tested, Mapunda also served another reminder that we need more of our players to get out of their comfort zone. There was little to be seen of his customary awkwardness in dealing with crosses. He spilled balls on not more than three occasions.  He did not charge out of his goal area, a part of his weakness that had reduced him to a comic figure.

However little abroad chances are coming their way, our players should be more aggressive in seeking those opportunities. The local league is a comfort zone. It does not push players to their limit. Playing for Simba, Yanga and Azamin the local league players rarely have to be at their best to emerge victorious. Kazimoto and to an extent,Mapunda have served us another timely reminder.