The international friendly match between Taifa Stars and New Zealand set for June 3, will be played under floodlights at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. It will be the only third time for the state of-the-art 60,000 seat stadium to host the match under floodlights. The first time was when Stars played Uganda Cranes in a friendly match late August 2007, where Stars won 1-0, before hosting the African Nations qualifier match between Stars and Mozambique on September 1, the same year, the night that many local soccer fans will wish to quickly forget after seeing their team losing 1-0. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Secretary General Fredrick Mwakalebela said yesterday that the decision to stage the game at night aimed at giving chance for people to turn up in their numbers to support their team. The match, Mwakalebela said, will kick off at 7 pm. “The match will be played on the midweek, where many people are busy. We feel playing late in the evening will give opportunity for more people to come and support Stars,” he said. Mwakalebela further said that the decision to stage the match late in the evening was reached after consultation with the New Zealand soccer officials, who also recommended for the same kick off time. He said: “New Zealand officials preferred to play at night because they fear humid whether condition in Dar es Salaam could disturb their players if the match will be played during the day time.” The New Zealand national team popularly known as ‘All Whites’ is expected to land in the country on June 1 with the squads of 23 players and 11 officials. Some of the key players in the squad include defender Ryan Nelsen who features for English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers. Others are Christopher Killen of Scotland giants’ Celtic, defender Steven Old of Kilmanock of Scotland, Chriss Bright of Panserraikos (Greece) and Christopher Wood of West Bromwich Albion (England) They will use the match as a final build up, ahead of the Confederation Cup in South Africa. They will also play against Botswana national team on June 6. Meanwhile, Taifa Stars will resume camp in Dar es Salaam today ready for the match.The international friendly match between Taifa Stars and New Zealand set for June 3, will be played under floodlights at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. It will be the only third time for the state of-the-art 60,000 seat stadium to host the match under floodlights. The first time was when Stars played Uganda Cranes in a friendly match late August 2007, where Stars won 1-0, before hosting the African Nations qualifier match between Stars and Mozambique on September 1, the same year, the night that many local soccer fans will wish to quickly forget after seeing their team losing 1-0. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Secretary General Fredrick Mwakalebela said yesterday that the decision to stage the game at night aimed at giving chance for people to turn up in their numbers to support their team. The match, Mwakalebela said, will kick off at 7 pm. “The match will be played on the midweek, where many people are busy. We feel playing late in the evening will give opportunity for more people to come and support Stars,” he said. Mwakalebela further said that the decision to stage the match late in the evening was reached after consultation with the New Zealand soccer officials, who also recommended for the same kick off time. He said: “New Zealand officials preferred to play at night because they fear humid whether condition in Dar es Salaam could disturb their players if the match will be played during the day time.” The New Zealand national team popularly known as ‘All Whites’ is expected to land in the country on June 1 with the squads of 23 players and 11 officials. Some of the key players in the squad include defender Ryan Nelsen who features for English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers. Others are Christopher Killen of Scotland giants’ Celtic, defender Steven Old of Kilmanock of Scotland, Chriss Bright of Panserraikos (Greece) and Christopher Wood of West Bromwich Albion (England) They will use the match as a final build up, ahead of the Confederation Cup in South Africa. They will also play against Botswana national team on June 6. Meanwhile, Taifa Stars will resume camp in Dar es Salaam today ready for the match.
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