Tanzania will launch its campaign for the International Handball Federation (IHF) Africa Zone Five Women’s Championship title tonight when they take on Djibouti in their opening Group B encounter at the Filbert Bayi School grounds in Kibaha, Coast Region.
The highly anticipated match is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm, with Tanzania hoping to make a strong start in front of their home supporters.
Tanzania and Djibouti are drawn in Group B alongside Rwanda, with all three teams battling for a place in the next stage of the competition.
Assistant coach of the national women's handball team, Joel Joseph, expressed confidence in the squad's preparations, saying the players were physically fit, mentally prepared and highly motivated ahead of the crucial opening fixture.
He said the technical bench had carefully assessed their opponents and discussed the team's approach to ensure the players understood what was expected of them.
“We held a meeting with the players to analyse our opponents, and the team has demonstrated its readiness to compete. The players are highly motivated, confident and determined to secure victory in this opening match and make Tanzania proud,” he said.
Joseph added that the team had enjoyed good preparations, with players demonstrating encouraging levels of cooperation and commitment during training.
Meanwhile, national team player Monica Joseph Mpanda said the squad was determined to deliver a strong performance and compete for positive results throughout the tournament.
She acknowledged that Tanzania would face opponents with considerable experience in the competition but insisted that the hosts were equally determined to defend their national pride.
Monica described the championship, being hosted in Tanzania for the first time, as a significant opportunity for local players to showcase their talent, gain international exposure and attract greater recognition.
She said the team was eager to use the home tournament to demonstrate that Tanzania has the talent and potential to compete against established teams at international level.
Monica also appealed to Tanzanians to turn out in large numbers to support the national team, saying the players were ready to give their best and ensure the country's flag flies high in the competition.