By James Waindi

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars are out to end their long trophy drought by winning their third Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) Senior Challenge Cup when the event kicks off on November 28 in Nairobi.

Tanzania have won the coveted title twice since it began 33 years ago and would be out to repeat their 1994 feat when they last won the Cup in Kenya.

The first time they won the Cup was in 1974. It took them 20 years to win it again in 1994. They have now stayed for 15 years and would be under pressure to redeem their image.

Speaking to FeverPitch from their training camp in Dar es Salaam, Stars Brazilian coach Marcio Maximo said they had learnt from their mistakes when they narrowly lost 2-1 to Kenya in last year’s semi-finals in Kampala and vowed to bounce back and rule the roost this time.

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"We have improved a lot since we lost last year’s semi-finals to Kenya. We have participated in many international matches including the CHAN competition finals and a number of international build-up matches.

"I believe my players have earned enough exposure and would certainly be a force to reckon with at this year’s event in Kenya," said Maximo.

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars during the 2007 Cecafa Senior Challenge tournament in Dar es Salaam. Photo: Robin Toskin /Standard

The Brazilian tactician who has been under pressure from his once adorable fans who are now demanding for his resignation after a poor show in a recent tour of Middle East that saw them lose 5-1 to Egypt, before dismal performances against Yemen and Bahrain, said he was staying put and vowed to win back the fans’ love by clinching the Cecafa title.

The coach said he was working on the team’s weak points which were exposed during the tour and promised to field a formidable side for the regional event.

Well polished

While many teams expected to feature in the 13-nations event are yet to begin training, the Tanzanians have been in camp for two weeks and this may be an advantage for them.

"We are working on the nitty gritty of the team and hope the players would be well polished before the kick-off of Cecafa," said Maximo.

He tipped Kenya to be a hard nut to crack since they will enjoy home support, but noted that the event had no clear favourite.

Maximo has named a strong provisional team of 30 players, just to show his level of seriousness on winning the regional trophy. However, the Brazilian has omitted star striker and former captain Athumani Idd, former first team players Amir Maftah, Haruna

Moshi and veteran custodian Juma Kaseja, leaving many wondering if the new call-ups would effectively fit into the quartet’s shoes.

He had dismissed Idd, Maftah and Moshi immediately after the CHAN championships in Ivory Coast early this year, citing disciplinary issues, while Kaseja considered the country’s best goalkeeper, is said to have severed relationships with the Brazilian in 2007 when he laughed at fellow custodian Ivo Mapunda who for conceding four goals against Senegal in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.