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Tanzania was seconds away from qualification to the semi-finals of the maiden edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), but for Zambian striker Dennis Banda’s late equalizer in their final group clash.

 

Being the first ever appearance at a major championship since the 1980 African Cup of Nations, Head Coach Marcio Maximo tells www.cafonline.com that the tournament has served a platform for his team to prove their worth.

 

I am very impressed with my team’s performance. I am very proud of my team as we have left a good impression of Tanzanian football. We played against some of the best sides in Africa and we proved that we are a force to reckon with.

Senegal, Cote D’Ivoire and Zambia are respected sides in Africa and performed creditably against each of them.

For 27 years, Tanzania never qualified for a major continental championship, and I think we have made a mark.

 

I feel very bad, but it was hard luck. I will not blame my players because they played their part but luck eluded them. This is a young team with an average age of 22 years, and to display such a performance is very encouraging.

In Tanzania, all the players in the national team are local based except one (in Kuwait) and this competition was a real test for them.

 

Many, and first is the experience. When we go back, we hope to build on what we learnt and move on. Before, my players had only played against Central and East African teams, but the tournament has afforded them the opportunity to try out against teams from other parts. Some of my players have proven that they can play abroad and I expect some of them to join some major leagues to gain more experience.

Europe should not be main destination as the leagues in Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa and even Libya are also competitive.

 

 

I will make some changes in my team by bringing in some younger players to replace some aging ones. We need players who are more ambitious and want to achieve success.

 

The idea of the tournament is positive and I commend CAF on that. The standard is very high just as I expected. Most of the players feature for club in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup and they have shown their worth.

In terms of organization, all the structures are intact and the Ivorian hospitality is at it maximum best.

 

We hope to make the best of all FIFA International friendly dates by playing against top notch sides. In November, we will compete in the regional CECAFA Challenge Cup. Plans are also advanced for a training tour in Japan, and the possibility of an International friendly against the Japanese national team. I am also in talks with the Tanzania FA about a training tour of Brazil later in the year.

 

The future is very bright, but the Tanzanian Government and FA must invest more into football. In football, you have to invest for about five years to earn positive results. We have just started and I am very convinced, if the needed resources are injected; Tanzania will be among the top football nations in the next five years.