Saturday, July 25, 2015
The head coach of the national Under-20 women’s
soccer team reckons they have failed to shine in the women’s African
championship for one simple reason--lack of international exposure.
According to Rogasian Kaijage, Team Tanzanite is comprised of young
players who need plenty of friendly matches and exposure if they are to
improve their skills. But his training schedule is not taken seriously.
He
says he requested Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to organise at
least two international friendly matches before the team came up against
Zambia’s Young Shepolopolo at the Azam Complex. But the team ended up
playing the first leg with no international trial and lost 4-0.
Moreover,
a week before the encounter with Zambia, there was virtually nothing in
the media about the team’s preparations. Taifa Stars has yet to qualify
for the All Africa Games. It’s last major appearance came in the
African Nations Cup in 1980. It has been about 35 years since the team
participated in the finals in Lagos.
It is time TFF
paid attention to women’s football. Women’s teams have shown signs of a
bright future in the game. They have made this country proud far beyond
our borders. In 2010, Twiga Stars qualified for the Women’s
Championship finals in South Africa. A year later, the team qualified
for the All Africa Games in Maputo. Twiga Stars, which also includes
Tanzanite players, qualified for the Congo Brazzaville All Africa Games
scheduled 4 to 19, September.
There is hope that
Tanzania can rise into a continental giant in women’s football. The
men’s team is now at position 42 in CAF rankings and 139 in Fifa ratings
while the women’s team is stands at position 19 in CAF and 129 in Fifa.
Had TFF given Twiga Stars and The Tanzanite maximum support, we would
now be celebrating the girls’ appearance in the World Cup finals. TFF
should help find sponsors for the team, as is the case with the men’s
team
EmoticonEmoticon