Tanzania: Coaches Complain Over Jamhuri Stadium Pitch

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

John Nditi

27 June 2011

Morogoro — RWANDA’S APR and Djibouti’s Ports coaches, whose teams clashed in the Kagame Castle Cup group C match here on Sunday, expressed their concern over the poor state of the pitch at the Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro.

Speaking at the end of their opening match of the Kagame Castle Cup played on Sunday at the Jamhuri Stadium, APR tactician Ernie Brandits said the uneven playing surface denied the players the opportunity to display their skills.

“The pitch has many bumps and potholes and that has tremendously hindered my players to control the ball,” Brandits lamented.

Brandts, whose side hammered Ports 4-0, said the stadium lacked international standards and that it should not be qualified to host such big tournament. He said it was odd thing for the CECAFA to approve such stadium with such a poor pitch to host international games.

“Using the pitch of this poor standard not only affects the quality of the play and entertainment, but also exposes the players to injury.” Brandts said the ultra modern National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, which hosts group A and B matches, was the perfect venue to host the championship as it has international standards.

However, he hailed his team’s great start to the championship despite the hindrances on the pitch and boasted of retaining their title.

“Despite being in the death group, both my players and the team leaders are confident to win the remaining games to maintain the title,” said the cup holder’s team coach. He expressed his delight with the splendid accommodation accorded to them since their arrival in the country.

“We are happy with the accommodation but the pitch is the only problem for us to play our game,” he said.

On his side Ports coach, Mahamoud Ahmed, said the pitch was the major hindrance for his team to beat the title holders.

“In fact, I am not happy with the results since we have lost the game but the pitch was the reason behind our poor performance,” said Port coach.

Meanwhile, the APR’s manager, Hilary Evans, has expressed his dismay to be grouped in the same as 2010 runners-up, St George.

He said as the title holders, APR was supposed to be seeded in a separate group from St George whom they defeated in the final last year, arguing that his team was supposed to be stationed in Dar es Salaam.

“I have not been notified on which reasons used to group us together with the second winners during last year’s competition,” said the APR manager.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s St George take on fellow army men Kenyan champions, Ulinzi Stars, at the Jamhuri Stadium here today. Ulinzi Stars coach Benjamin Nyangweso said they are expecting tough match.

“It’s going to be a difficult opening match for us as we have been put under pressure by the defending champions APR of Rwanda who beat Ports of Djibouti by many goals. This has set the bar for us and we will not underrate St George in anyway but will give our best and hope that we can qualify for the quarter finals.”

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