Hadhi ya Ernie Brandts, shoka la Manji na Sarakasi za Soka Bongo

Wahanga wa Panga la Manji: Tom Saintfiet na Ernie Brandts

 

 

                

Hatimaye na kocha  Ernie Brandts naye ameonekana hafai, mzigo kwa klabu kubwa nchini. Kama ilivyo wengi waliomtangulia naye ameonekana uwezo wake umefikia kikomo. Mbinu zake zimewakinai wale walioahidi ujenzi wa uwanja kuanza miezi  sita iliyopita.

Wamempima kocha wakaona hawafai. Wamemtathmini na kutoa hukumu lakini kwa makusudi au la, wamesahau kujitathmini. Wamesahau kutathmini uzito wa ahadi zao na utupu wa utekelezaji wao mpaka sasa .

‘Ukitazama uwezo wa mchezaji mmoja mmoja wa Yanga SC na wapinzani wetu, na soka tulilocheza kwenye mchezo wa mwishoni mwa wiki kwa kweli ni dhahiri mwalimu amefikia mwisho kimbinu na hana njia mbadala.’ Hapa inaonekana kabisa Abdallah Bin Kleib naye ameanza kuamini ‘majina’ ya kwenye magazeti ya wachezaji wetu. Kumbe majina ya kuuzia magazeti yanasumbua hadi viongozi!

Sijui anaongelea uwezo upi wa mchezaji mmoja wakati tunavijua viwango vya wachezaji wetu. Kama ni viwango vya kwenye magazeti yetu basi ni sawa. Kiuhalisia wachezaji wetu wengi hawapishani sana uwezo na ndio maana unaangalia Yanga, Simba na Azam wakihema kupata ushindi dhidi ya akina pangu pakavu tia mchuzi, kina JKT Ruvu, Ashanti na wengineo.

Ligi inaisha, bingwa anapatikana lakini hakuna mchezaji anayefuzu majaribio hata Afrika Kusini.Si Yule nyota anayetawala vichwa vya habari wale yule mchezaji wa timu za jeshi anayejituma ili aonekane na Simba, Yanga na Azam.

Haingii akilini kusema kocha wa kiwango cha Ernie Brandts ameishiwa mbinu na hana njia mbadala ilhali uongozi uliopo umeshindwa kuonesha mbinu mbadala za kuingizia klabu mapato. Huu ujasiri unatoka wapi…ni komedi tamu!

Katika nchi za Afrika Mashariki hakuna shaka kuwa vilabu vya Tanzania vimepata bahati ya kufundishwa na makocha wa kigeni mara nyingi zaidi kuliko wenzetu. Kwa undani zaidi, hii si bahati iliyokuja kama ajali. Ni udhibitisho wa hamasa kubwa ya kamdanda nchini.Hamasa tunayoshindwa kuitumia ipasavyo.

Kati ya makocha wengi waliopata fursa ya kufundisha mpira Tanzania hasa katika muongo uliopita, mholanzi Ernie Brandts anaweza kuwa ndiye mwenye hadhi kubwa zaidi. Brandts si tu ni kocha wa kutoka nchi yenye hadhi ya juu kisoka, Uholanzi bali ni kocha aliyethibitisha uwezo wake kama mchezaji.

Brandts aliichezea klabu kubwa ya kwao, PSV kwa takriban muongo mzima. Alivaa jezi za timu ya taifa zaidi ya mara ishirini ikiwemo kushiriki katika kombe la dunia. Hakuwa tu mshiriki wa kombe la dunia, alibahatika kujiandika historia ya kuwa mfungaji wa mabao mawili. Alijifunga bao moja pale alipojikuta akiutumbukiza mpira  kwenye nyavu zao katika harakati za kuutoa mpira miguuni mwa mshambuliaji wa Italia. Katika historia ya pekee, aliisawazishia Uholanzi kwa shuti kali la mbali na kujiandikia historia ya pekee kwenye kombe la dunia.

Video: Mabao ya Ernie Brandts dhidi ya Italia, kombe la dunia 1978 

Kama haitoshi, Ernie Brandts amefanya kazi na makocha maarufu duniani. Amepata bahati ya kuwa msaidizi wa Sir Bobby Robson, kocha wa zamani wa Barcelona na Newcastle, Dick Advocaat , kocha wa zamani wa timu za mataifa ya Uholanzi, Korea kusini na Urussi. 

Sababu  rasmi za kutimuliwa  kwake kwa mujibu wa tovuti rasmi ya klabu ni  ‘Maamuzi hayo yanafuatia muenendo wa matokeo mabaya katika michezo iliyopita ya Ligi Kuu, kirafiki na bonanza la Nani Mtani Jembe dhidi ya Simba SC mwishoni mwa wiki.’ 

Hivi ni maana ya mwenendo mbaya? Timu iliyotwaa ubingwa miezi saba iliyopita na bado imemaliza ngwe ya kwanza ikiwa kileleni inakuwaje na mwenendo mbaya? Mwenendo upi mbaya ilhali timu haijafungwa kwenye mechi nane mfululizo za mashindano? Brandts ameiongoza Yanga kwenye mechi zaidi ya 35 na kupoteza mechi takriban nne tu ukijumlisha na za kirafiki pamoja na  ile ya ‘bonanza’ dhidi ya Simba.

‘Mwisho tunawaomba wanachama, wapenzi na washabiki wa Yanga wasivunjike moyo kufuatia matokeo ya bonanza mwishoni mwa wiki…’ Mwanzoni tunaambiwa matokeo ya mechi ya Mtani Jembe ni moja ya sababu ya kutimuliwa kwa kocha, mwishoni tunaambiwa hio ilikuwa ni mechi ya bonanza au fete! Kocha anafukuzwa kwa matokeo ya mechi ya bonanza?

Inawezakana kuwa kuna mengi hatuambiwi kwenye sakata hili. Hata habari za chini ya kapeti nazo hazina kichwa wala masikio zaidi ya kuacha maswali yasiyo na majibu. 

Inawezakana kabisa uhusiano wa Yanga na Brandts ulikwisha vurugika kiasi kwamba talaka pekee ndio suluhisho. Ila hivi visingizio vya kuwa kocha kaishiwa mbinu ni kumshushia hadhi kocha na pia viongozi wenyewe kujipaka matope bila sababu ya msingi. 

 

Tanzania V Zambia: Poulsen Abandons Cautious Approach to Salvage A Draw

While CECAFA Senior challenge Cup should be treated as a tournament for testing players and experimenting, Poulsen thinks otherwise. The bulky of his squad selection are familiar faces. Against Zambia he took no chance especially in the first half. Perhaps according Zambia too much respect, Poulsen started with five midfielders in a tactical system that closely resembled a 4-5-1.

Frank Domayo, Abubakar Salum and Hassan Dilunga flooded the midfield. Kiemba and Ngassa played in the flanks but restricted their forward movement; they were more in the midfield zone. Kiemba who always plays just behind the two main strikers, Ulimwengu and Samatta was this time far removed from Elias Maguli up front.  This left Elias Maguli isolated as a lone striker. 

Closely surrounded by three defenders, Elias Maguli proved to be of little help. The virgin muddy  pitch did not help matter. Ngassa who was expected to dribble inwards to support Maguli could not do it thanks to the poor state of the pitch. 

Unsurprisingly, Tanzania dominated possession in the first half but did not offer any threat going forward. There was a reluctance to throw many players forward into attack.  This was a lesson he learnt the hard way from Ivory Coast who cruelly exposed the large gaps left by Stars when pushing forward. 

Therefore despite the long spells of good possession Tanzania only managed two shots. One shot was off-target when Amri Kiemba set through Ngassa who fluffed away his tame shot despite being one-on-one with the Zambian goalkeeper, Nsabata Toaster.

Zambia’s goal four minutes to the breather offered a clue to what Tanzania lacked. While Tanzania had only Maguli up front, Zambia seemed to always have at least two strikers up front. Their lead came as no surprise.  Felix Katongo pin-point cross was met by Ronald Kampamba’s well-hit header. Said Morad could have done better with his marking. Kampamba’s header was perfectly stamped and addressed to the back of the net. Mapunda despite his reflex and outstretching himself had no chance whatsoever. By the end of the first half, Chipolopolo had more shots on targets. Ivo Mapunda was consequently the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Sensing defeat, Poulsen threw caution to the wind and switched into attacking in the second half. Without introducing any substitutions, he pushed Kiemba further to link up with Elias Maguli who had been isolated in the first half. Abubakar Salum and Hassan Dilunga were encouraged to venture forward. As a result Tanzania looked more promising in the second half. It only took three minutes for the equalizer to materialize. Salum Abubakar’s corner was headed home by Said Morad who was impressive throughout the match bar the poor marking that gave Zambia the lead.

Looking back through the entire match, Poulsen might be frustrated with the draw. Over the ninety minutes his side came top. Had he not taken the over-cautious approach in the first half, perhaps he would have ended his seven match winless-streak.  A draw was a fair result to both sides despite Tanzania’s possession dominancy.

CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup: Poulsen and His Call-ups

                                                     

Kim Poulsen called up a 23-man squad for the CECAFA Senior challenge cup campaign that kicks off today in Nairobi, Kenya. He will have the unenviable task of culling up his squad. Three players will have to be dropped from the official squad list. CECAFA rules allow a maximum squad of 20 players.

Ivo Mapunda of Gor Mahia, Azam’s promising youngster, Aishi Manula and Deogratius Munishi from the defending league champions, Young Africans will be competing for the number one jersey i. Manula and Munishi are yet to make national team debuts. 

Mapunda is likely to get the nod. In Stars’ warm up friendly against Zimbabwe’s warrior he put an impressive shift. He comfortably kept a clean sheet. In Mapunda, Poulsen has one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the region.

Poulsen’s faith in Aishi Manula is likely to keep the youngster as the immediate back up to Mapunda. Should anything happen to Mapunda, either an injury or suspension, Manula will take up his place in the goalposts. His frame gives him good box presence. Munishi's recent splendid league display means he firmly remain an option. He boasts of height advantage.

Defenders called up include; Erasto Nyoni, Himid Mao, Ismail Gambo, Said Morad all from Azam. Kelvin Yondani of (Yanga), and Michael Pius (Ruvu Shooting). Erasto Nyoni and Kelvin Yondani are automatic pick in the starting eleven. 

Erasto Nyoni will take his place in the right full-back position. Kelvin Yondani will put a shift as a centre-back. Michael Pius and Said Morad will be fighting to partner up Yondani. Morad seems to be the favourite partner to Yondani. 

The tournament could be a perfect opportunity for the versatile Himid Mao to lay claim to the left full-back position. The absence of Kapombe might afford him a good run of matches to firmly present his case. Erasto Nyoni is the only natural full-back in the squad and so Poulsen could still pull up surprise in his selection.

Midfielders up for selection include; Amri Kiemba (Simba), Athuman Idd (Yanga), Frank Domayo (Yanga), Haroun Chanongo (Simba), Hassan Dilunga (Ruvu Shooting), Ramadhan Singano (Simba) and Salum Abubakar (Azam).

Judging from past selections, Frank Domayo and Salum Abubakar inclusion in the starting eleven is a given. Frank Domayo work rate is necessary to shore up the midfield. Salum Abubakar remains essential for maintaining possession but he limits the team forward movement. His first team inclusion divides opinions in some quarters. 

Others would prefer seeing Athumani Idd starting ahead of Abubakar. Idd has the vision for long range passes needed to unlock defences. Given a place in the team, he adds the much needed counter-attacking element. While Salum Abubakar tends to circulate the ball, Idd often goes for long range passes needed for rapid transition from defence to attack.

Hassan Dilunga would be relishing another chance in his fight to displace the out of form Amri Kiemba. 

The newly signed Yanga’s youngster earned his debut against Zimbabwe relegating Kiemba to the bench. However he did not put a tight case to guarantee him a starting place. Kiemba’s club form with Simba has been poor but he often tends to be at his best while in the national colours. 

Forwards: Elias Maguli (Ruvu Shooting), Faridi Musa (Azam), Joseph Kimwaga (Azam), Juma Luizio (Mtibwa Sugar), Mbwana Samata (TP Mazembe, DRC), Mrisho Ngasa (Yanga) and Thomas Ulimwengu (TP Mazembe).

The services of the TP Mazembe duo, Samatta and Ulimwengu will be missed in the first two games. Poulsen will have to tweak his team particularly in the first match against Zambia. Mrisho Ngassa will be employed as a striker.  Elias Maguli could partner up Ngassa up front. Juma Luizio and Joseph Kimwaga are likely to be involved as late substitutes.

Overall given the combination of experienced and fresh legs, Kilimanjaro should not face trouble qualifying for the quarter final stage. Even if Zambia top the group second place finish can be comfortably attained. But with pressure mounting on him, Poulsen knows only advancing to the final would throw off the increasing number of monkeys on his back.

Taifa Stars v Zimbabwe:In-Form Kazimoto Serves A Reminder

Taifa Stars coach, Kim Poulsen had the good fortune of drawing the experience and expertise of his five foreign based players, Kazimoto, Ulimwengu, Samatta, Kapombeand Mapunda in the Tuesday draw with Zimbabwe’s Warrior.Ulimwengu and Samatta have become the bedrock of Stars’s attacking department, their place in the team unquestionable. Kapombe had been out for a long time due to injury since his move to France fourth division club, AS Cannes. Nothing much was expected of him due to his layoff. 

And so the focus was on the other two foreign based players, MwinyiKazimoto and Ivo Mapunda. Both were not newcomers. The veteran goalkeeper, Mapunda was making a return after a four year absence. Kazimoto recent performance in the national colours before his Qatar move had been a see-saw affair. Good in one match then bad in the following match. Inconsistence had slowly crept into his form.

He had a bad day in his last match against Uganda Cranes. He was completely below par in a disorganized midfield that uncharacteristically surrendered possession to the Ugandans. It was no surprise Stars lost 1-0 at home. That was the last to be seen of him in Taifa Stars’ jersey till Tuesday’s clash. In between he managed to complete a difficulty transfer to Qatar-based second division club, Al-Markhiya.

His transfer was not only shrouded in mysteries , it was a heavy gamble on his part. The Qatar second division league consists of just six teams. The quality and competitive nature of the league cast doubt on whether the diminutive midfielder had taken a career step forward or backward. (Read Kazimoto's Transfer Saga )

Reports from Qatar indicate he has integrated well into the team. He has played all his club’s league matches, a sign the coach has faith in his ability and performance. As widely expected, Poulsen granted him a starting place. Kazimoto did not need time to register his metamorphosis in the eyes of the sparse crowd that had attended the match. He appeared fit and rejuvenated. 

While he had been more defensive in the past, on Tuesday he was more attack minded. He mostly played well-measured forward passes that set chances for Ulimwengu and Samatta who were attacking from the flanks.

Devoid of the service of Athumani Idd who was once again benched Stars’ penetration largely depended on Kazimoto.  He was the only Stars’ player who could switch play from one flank to another with long range passes as the rest struggled with short square passes that failed to threaten Zimbabwe.

His set piece deliveries were a joy to watch. His absolute precision lifted fans off their seats on more than one occasion. Stars’ best scoring chances coincided with his presence in the field. Perhaps Stars would have walked away with a victory had it not been for our strikers who chose to once again advertise their profligacy.

His substitution seven minutes after the breather gave the Zimbabwe warrior opportunity to dominate proceedings in the second half.  His fifty two minutes cameo was enough to serve a reminder that our football needs more foreign based players. Kazimoto’s confidence, calmness and composure while it endorsed long time view that the nation has talented football it highlighted the fact that our players need abroad exposure.

Though he was not severely tested, Mapunda also served another reminder that we need more of our players to get out of their comfort zone. There was little to be seen of his customary awkwardness in dealing with crosses. He spilled balls on not more than three occasions.  He did not charge out of his goal area, a part of his weakness that had reduced him to a comic figure.

However little abroad chances are coming their way, our players should be more aggressive in seeking those opportunities. The local league is a comfort zone. It does not push players to their limit. Playing for Simba, Yanga and Azamin the local league players rarely have to be at their best to emerge victorious. Kazimoto and to an extent,Mapunda have served us another timely reminder.

NI Wakati Wa Jeshi Kusema Yatosha Kwa Vipigo Wanavyopokea

Mbeya City wakishangilia goli la kwanza

Wakishangilia bao la pili (Picha zote za Mbeyayetu blog_

                        

Mashabiki wa Mbeya City waliamua kubeba jeneza na kulizungusha uwanjani kama ishara ya kuizika rasmi Tanzania Prisons baada ya kuiangushia kipigo cha mabao mawili kwa sifuri. Mpira ni burudani, na hii ilikuwa mojawapo ya burudani za mashabiki wa Mbeya City. Lakini ukiangalia kwa undani unaona hili ya kubeba jeneza ni utani uliobeba ujumbe wa ukweli ndani yake. Ukiwa na kichwa kikubwa kisha mtani wako akakutania kwa kukuita ‘bichwa’ utauchukulia kama ni ukweli au utani au vyote, yaani ni utani japo ni ukweli?

Prisons kubebewa jeneza na timu iliyopanda daraja msimu huu utabaki kuwa utani lakini kuna haja ya jeshi kutambua kuwa licha ya kuwa ni utani kuna ukweli ndani yake.  Ishara ya kubebewa jeneza kwenda kuzikwa iliendana na matokeo ya uwanjani na kuendeleza wimbi la matokeo mabovu kwa timu za jeshi msimu huu na msimu uliopita. 

Timu za jeshi zinapumulia mkiani kwenye msimamo wa ligi huku tatu zikivuta mkia kwa kufuatana kama mnyororo wa baiskeli. Prisons, Mgambo na Oljoro zimeambulia ushindi kwenye mechi moja moja tu kati ya kumi na moja zilizocheza mpaka sasa. Yaani hali ni mbaya kiasi kwamba ukichukua alama za Prisons, Mgambo na Oljoro jumla yake bado ni alama tatu pungufu kwa alama za Azam na Mbeya City. Jumla ya alama za timu hizi tatu za majeshi hazitoshi hata kuzipa nafasi ya nne. Ukijumlisha  alama zao zote Pamoja na mabao ya kufunga ukasema iwe timu moja basi kwa msimamo wa sasa timu hiyo itaangukia nafasi ya tano.

Prisons wanathibitisha ile hadithi ya askari magereza naye ni mfungwa tu kwa jinsi wanavyofungwa mechi baada ya mechi. Hawa maafande wa magereza wamegeuzwa wafungwa kwa kufungwa mechi tano kati ya 11 walizocheza hadi sasa. Hadi wana halmashauri wa Mbeya City wamewageuza ngazi ya kukwea kileleni na kuwadhihaki kwa kutembeza jeneza kama ishara ya mazishi yao.

Kwa upande wa pili ukiwaangalia Mgambo Shooting jinsi wanavyorukaruka na kuchanganyana uwanjani unaweza kuhisi Juma Nature alikuwa akiwatazama wakati anaandika mashairi  ya wimbo wake wa ‘ Mgambo’. Jezi zao za pundamilia, rangi nyeusi na nyeupe, mara moja zinakukumbusha zile filamu za makala za pundamilia wanavyoliwa na mamba wakati wa kuvuka mto Mara kati ya Tanzania na Kenya . Safu yao ya ulinzi inavuja kuliko nyumba  za nyasi  zilizochoka wakiruhusu mabao 21 kwenye mechi 11 na kuongoza kwa ukarimu. 

Amissi Tambwe wa Simba anaongoza ufungaji wa mabao (amefikiwa na Hamisi Kiiza wa Yanga) kwa sababu ya ukarimu wa safu ya Ulinzi ya Mgambo. Mabao manne ya Tambwe dhidi ya Mgambo yananikumbusha tena zile filamu za makala za mamba wanaofaidika na mlo wa bure kutoka kwa pundamilia na nyumbu wanaovuka Masai Mara kiasi cha kubaki na hifadhi ya msimu ujao kwa kula kidogo kidogo tu ile mizoga. Ni hadithi sawa na ya Tambwe, aliwapiga Mgambo bao nne kisha akaanza kujazilizia kidogo kidogo na bado anaongoza msimamo wa ufungaji. Mgambo Shooting walikuwa kama pundamilia kwake ilhali yeye akigeuka wale mamba wa Mto Mara.

Safu ya yao ya ushambuliaji ni kama ipo kwenye mgomo baridi kwa kufunga mabao matatu tu kwenye michezo kumi na moja! Bila shaka washambuliaji wake hawajui waliposahau viatu vyao vya ufungaji. Kwa hakika Mgambo wanazidi kulishusha hadhi jina la Mgambo ambalo tayari si kati ya majina yanayoheshimika hasa huko mtaani. Badala ya kututhibitishia kuwa Mgambo nao wamo wanaonekana kututhibishia zile hadithi zetu za uswahilini kuhusu Mgambo.

JKT Oljoro nao hali ni mbaya wakizidi kuwa rojorojo kwa  kupokea vipigo mara sita katika mechi 11. Hali ni ile ile kwa Ruvu Stars ambao inaonekana nyota yao pekee ni ushindi katika mechi nne na vipigo saba katika mechi 11. Nini kinasababisha matokeo mabovu kwa timu za majeshi? Mbona timu za majeshi zinafanya vizuri kwenye nchi nyingine? Rwanda kuna APR ambayo panga pangua haikosi tatu bora, Kenya kuna Ulinzi, Zambia wana Green Buffaloes, Morocco wana FAS Rabat ambazo ubingwa wa ligi haukaki kwa miaka zaidi ya mitatu, nini kinasumbua timu zetu za majeshi?