Taifa Stars head tactician Boniface Mkwasa has a released a list of 28 players for 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup qualifier against Desert Warriors of Algeria early November.

Making a return to the team are Azam FC midfielder Salum “Sure Boy” Abubakar and Simba SC midfielder Jonas Mkude.

Also brought on board are strikers Malimi Busungu of Yanga and Elias Maguli of Stand United; the two have been sensational for their clubs in the ongoing Tanzania Premier League.

Salim Mbonde of Mibwa Sugar who last featured for Stars in the 3-0 loss to Uganda in Zanzibar in the CHAN 2016 qualifiers has also been reintroduced.

Tanzania hosts the first leg of the tough test on November 14 in Dar Es Salaam before traveling for the return leg three days later. Aggregate winner qualifies for the group stage of the road to Russia.

The Team:

Goalkeepers: Ally Mustafa (Yanga), Aishi Manula (Azam), Said Mohamed (Mtibwa Sugar),

Fullbacks: Kessy Ramadhani, Mohamed Hussein (Simba), Juma Abdul, Haji Mwinyi (Yanga) and Shomari Kapombe (Azam),

Central Defenders: Salim Mbonde (Mtibwa Sugar), Hassan Isihaka (Simba), Kelvin Yondani and Nadir Haroub (Yanga).

Midfielders: Salum Telela (Yanga), Salum Abubakar, Himid Mao, Mudathir Yahya, Frank Domayo (Azam), Jonas Mkude and Said Ndemla (Simba).

Forwards: Farid Musa (Azam), Simon Msuva (Yanga), Mrisho Ngasa (Free State Stars – South Africa ) John Bocco (Azam), Elias Maguri (Stand United), Ibrahim Hajibu (Simba), Malimi Busungu (Yanga), Mbwana Samata and Thomas Ulimwengu (TP Mazembe – Congo DR).

@bonfaceosano