Poulsen rues missed chances

Tanzania coach Jan Poulsen admitted that his Taifa Stars face a tough battle to reach the final round of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after conceding a 1-1 draw with Mozambique in the first leg match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

Taifa Stars had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw thanks to a goal by midfielder Mwinyi Kazimoto on the 41st minute that cancelled out a Clesio Bauque’s 22nd minute strike.

Poulsen although optimistic that his side still remains with a chance of making the next stage of the continental qualifiers, conceded that a 1-1 result at home has complicated the situation. “It’s a 1-1 draw, but it could have been better for us with a 1-0 or 2-1 result and I think we should have won as we created a lot of chances,” claimed the Danish tactician.

“We were not impressive in the early part of the match but then we imposed ourselves well into the game thereafter and we got the equalizer. I think we were the better team in the second half,” said Poulsen.

Poulsen said he has a lot work to do ahead of the return leg match, to be played in Maputo in June this year if they are entertaining any hopes of progressing to the second round.

“This is the first half, there is still work to be done in Mozambique”, he said Taifa Stars are set to meet Mozambique in the return leg in Maputo in June.