TANZANIA have axed Young Africans defender Kelvin Yondani from its Taifa Stars squad that would lock horns against Nigeria in Saturday's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Uyo, reports NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com.
The East Africans who were to leave Dar as Salam Wednesday, left Thursday morning with 19 players instead of 20 after Yondani was dropped out of the squad due to injuries he sustained when serving his club in CAF Confederations Cup assignment.
According to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), Information and Communication Officer, Alfred Lucas, Yondani has been dropped from the squad and the technical bench has decided not to have a replacement.
"The team (Taifa Stars) jet off early morning on September 1 with 19 players instead of 20 players as previously announced because Yondani has been dropped due to injuries, therefore he will miss the return leg match against Nigeria this weekend," said Lucas.
His absence is a big blow to Charles Boniface Mkwasa's charges as earlier this week, he had to call JKT Ruvu goalkeeper Said Kipao to replace the team's first choice goal keeper Deogratius Munishi who is attending his father's funeral.
Meanwhile, the tie is a dead rubber as the Pharaohs of Egypt have already booked their ticket for the Gabon finals following the withdrawal of Chad from the competition.
