Tanzania under pressure ahead of Rwanda match: Coach demands quick response against Amavubi

CECAFA 2017 Tanzania's Coach Ammy Conrad Ninje give instruction to his players in their match against Libya during CECAFA Challenge Cup at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County. Dec 3, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kilimanjaro Stars have a mountain to climb in Group A today after a loss and barren draw.

Tanzania coach Ammy Conrad Ninje has demanded a quick response from his players against Rwanda in today’s (2pm) Group A match at the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Kilimanjaro Stars’ hopes of making the semifinals suffered a major blow after they lost 2-1 to rivals Zanzibar on Thursday. The defeat came on the backdrop of a goalless draw against guest team Libya in the opening match.

And as Tanzania prepare to tackle already eliminated Rwanda, the former Hull City Academy coach has called on his players to play their hearts out and put their qualification hopes back on track.

“It is going to be tough, but we must fight throughout this match. We will have to regroup and see which players are fit enough for the match, but I believe we still have a chance to qualify,” Ninje said.

“This a difficult group and we have easily thrown away three points. For us to go through, we must win against Rwanda and Kenya.”

Although he graciously conceded their defeat to Group leaders Zanzibar, Ninje didn’t have kind words for his players after throwing away a first half lead to lose 2-1.

“Zanzibar wanted more than us and they showed desire, character and that’s why they won the game,” fumed Ninje.

“That is not the best way to play football, we were not fit enough to fight with someone who had hunger for success. Football is not about skills, you need to have efforts and that is what they showed us. I applaud them for that.

“We need to put in hard work to get the result. That was actually the difference between us and Zanzibar. By hook or crook, they deserved the three points.”

The tactician absolved himself from the dismal show saying that his job is to coach not to play. “I didn’t fail tactically, we failed by desire and it is not my job to step on the pitch and play. Zanzibar showed character and desire,” he said.