TZW
Speaking ahead of today’s FIFA date friendly match against Congo, Morocco said he doesn’t fear the teams that hold superior position in FIFA World Rankings, but he wants his players to play against them so that they become accustomed to their styles, techniques as opposed to playing against technically inferior teams.
Taifa Stars suffered a humiliating 4-1 away loss to Algeria in the first FIFA date friendly match in Algiers before making a second attempt against Congo at the National Stadium today.
Congo DR have already arrived in Dar es Salaam since Sunday bringing along all their professional players who feature for European leagues’ teams. Morocco believes the match against Congo will give his players a big test and experience as they will be facing well trained, high skilled and highly disciplined opponents. DRC team under Coach Jean-Florent Ikwange Ibenge arrived in Dar es Salaam with Cedric Bakambu who is the highest valued player from Africa at the moment.
Bakambu features for the Chinese Club Beijing has signed a 65m Pound deal with the team in his transfer from Spanish club, Villarreal. There are also Bolasie Yannick, Chancel Mbemba and Masuaku Arther who play in the English Premier League (EPL).
The Congolese team arrived in Dar es Salaam on Sunday and the match will serve as build up for Stars ahead of the 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers whose finals will be held in Cameroon.
Stars’ group consists of Lesotho, Uganda and Cape Verde. The DRC squad expected to face Stars has; Goalkeeper: Parfait Mandanda (Charleroi, France), Joel Kiassumbua (Lugano, Italy) and Matampi Ley. Defenders; Issama Mpeko (TP Mazembe), Ikoko Jordan (EAG, France), Nsakala Fabrice (Alayanspor, Turkey), Ngonda Glody (AS Vita), Masuaka Arthur (West Ham, England), Chancel Mbemba (Newcastle United, England), Moke Will (Konyaspor, Turkey), Bangala Yannick (AS Vita), Luyindama Christian (Standard Liege, Belgium), Mulumbu Youssouf (Kilmanock, Scotland) and Lema Mabidi (Raja Casablanca, Morocco).
Midfielders: Kebano Neeskens (Fulham, England), Giannelli Imbula (Toulouse, France), Maghoma Jacques (Birmingham, England) and Kakuta Gael (Amiens, France). Strikers: Bolasie Yannick (Everton, England), Kabananga Junior (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Mubele Fiemin (Toulouse, France), Paul Jose Mpaku (Standard Liege, Belgium), Cedric Bakambu (Beijing, China), Afobe Benik (Wolves, England) Assombalonga Britt (Middlesbrough, England) and Thibola Aaron (Kilmanock, Scotland). The entry fees for today’s encounter are 1,000/- for ordinary class and 5,000/- for VIP class.