TFF NOW BLAMED FOR HEROES WOES

By Majuto Omary, The Citizen Reporter

Dar es Salaam. The Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) has apportioned blame on their Mainland counterparts, TFF, for failing to summon midfielder Abdi Kassim.This comes just two days after Zanzibar Heroes were booted out of the Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup by Rwanda.

The Isles team, which qualified for the quarterfinals as the first best losers, fought hard to remain in title contention, but tumbled 2-1 to Amavubi on Monday. ZFA information officer Munir Zakaria told The Citizen yesterday that the TFF did not do enough to bring back the veteran midfielder for Zanzibar Heroes.

Zakaria said had Kassim, who plies his trade in Vietnam for DT Long An, joined Zanzibar Heroes, their Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup fate would have been different.

“We accept defeat, but things would not have been the same if the TFF worked effectively on the Kassim matter.“He is one of the experienced players who could have helped the team perform better in the championship, but the TFF failed us,” he said.

He added: “We requested them to write a letter to DT Long An to release the player for Zanzibar Heroes duties, but the TFF did not take our request seriously.”

The TFF was responsible for calling the former Young Africans playmaker back for it granted his ITC last year.

“We fielded a youthful team in the tournament, which lacked the experience and expertise of players like Kasssim,” Munir said.The ZFA official was surprised why the TFF focused on calling players to join Kilimanjaro Stars only.

“Look, they did everything to have the likes of Mussa Mgosi, Thomas Ulimwengu, Said Maulid and Mbwana Samata for Kili Stars, but forgot altogether that we also needed the services of Kassim,” he said.Munir called on the TFF to be “fair” and consider the benefits of Zanzibar.

SOURCE: http://thecitizen.co.tz