CAIRO: Tanzania did not send its team list on time, prompting the Egyptian football association to cancel a scheduled friendly match with the African side on August 11. Egypt has decided to face off against he Democratic Republic of Congo in Cairo on the same day, a move that has not been received well in Dar es-Salaam. The Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) has said the Egyptian FA gave “unconvincing reasons” for the withdraw of the match. Tanzania, under new coach Jan Poulsen, was forced to arrange a match against Kenya in Dar es Salaam for August 11. “Egypt confirmed to us in writing on July 29 that the match was on. But we were surprised when they wrote again saying they were pulling out,” said TFF spokesperson Floroan Kaijage. “They say we did not send the names of the delegation in time, but this is an unconvincing reason,” he added. Tanzania had hoped that playing Egypt would provide the perfect test before facing Algeria in the Nations Cup qualifier match in September. But Kaijage says Kenya have promised to call their Europe-based professionals for the fixture. BM
