Taifa Stars of Tanzania coach, Boniface Mkwasa has revealed his joy at the absence of key Super Eagles players who won’t be in action against his team in today’s 2017 Group I Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Dar es Salaam.
Players such as John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Vincent Enyeama, John Obi have been excluded from the match due to one reason or the other. Also not available for the tie is Ambrose Efe, Elderson Chiejile, Odion Ighalo among others.
Addressing the media after the arrival of the Nigerian team to Dar es Salaam, Mkwasa said the non-inclusion of some of the known names in the Nigerian side was a welcome development, insisting that the desire of his side was winning the match.
“We know Nigeria is missing some of the regular players like the captain of the side, Vincent Enyeama, who we learnt was bereaved,” he said.
“We would have loved to have the full strength of the team so that Tanzanians will have the opportunity of seeing some these stars, but then it is a good thing that some of them are not coming.
“It will push us harder to achieve our aim which is to win the match. We know the strength of Nigeria and we are very much aware of the task before us, so we are very much prepared to confront whoever they present.
“We have prepared very hard for this match, so the desire of all Tanzanians is to see us come out with a decent result, of which we will not disappoint them.”
Coach Mkwasa invited five foreign based professionals to strengthen the Stars ahead of today’s match.