Tanzania camp lacked serenity

Taifa Stars Brazilian coach Marcio Maximo has admitted that some of his players who travelled to Cote d`Ivoire for CHAN tourney misbehaved.

The coach did not specify those players falling in the category, but insisted that only those who met physical fitness during training session were included in the starting line-up.

He also said non-performing players had no chance in his line up regardless of their past trade mark in the game.

“No matter how good the player used to be, the final squad selection for each of the three matches we played depended on their fitness during training,“ said Maximo.

Stars midfielder Athumani Idd and left back Amir Maftah were not fielded in the three Group A matches against Senegal, Cote d`Ivoire and Zambia. Haruna Moshi played only the opener against Senegal and he was later substituted midway into the second half.

The trio watches Stars match against the host nation on the terraces and survived a close shave decision to board a premature return flight ahead of the rest.

While the coach was critical of indisciplined players, he generally praised his other players who played impressively during the inaugural tourney.

He said his players are still inexperienced to contain the shockwaves of such big tournaments.

Maximo was in the opinion that it`s too early for his team to shrug off pressure of featuring into a tournament of that magnitude like CHAN.

“They are too inexperienced to play three big matches within a span of seven days,“ said the coach.

Stars played three matches, won, lost and drew each against Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Zambia respectively to crash out of the tournament, honourably.

Senegal and Zambia progressed into the semifinal berth as the host nation joined Stars in the elimination list.

When asked on how his players could not be able to safeguard a 1-0 lead in the closing stages of their match against Zambia, Maximo said it’s all about experience.

Zambia snatched a last-gasp equaliser within the added time to spoil Stars’ party enroute to the semifinal stage.

Stars players, officials and fans are expected to board a return flight tomorrow.

• SOURCE: Guardian