Tanzanian president supports Brazilian soccer coach

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete has put his personal weight behind the Brazilian coach who has been training the Tanzanian National Eleven but was criticized by some local fans for poor farings in some matches.

The Tanzanian president told local editors of mass media institutions on Thursday that it was still too early to blame Marcio Maximo.

"The coach has been in charge of almost one year and in soccer there are ups and downs, therefore let us give Maximo time to prepare the team," said the president who has been following the improvement and development of the country's national soccer team.

"I have confidence in Maximo and I will continue to support him," added the president.

Marcio Maximo from Brazil was given a four-year development program on the national team. The Brazilian coach took over the charge in July last year.

The government of Tanzania has decided to resort to the experienced Brazilian to train the national squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations and the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

When Marcio Maximo took over, the Tanzanian National Eleven were ranked 167th on the FIFA worldwide rankings. Now they are the 89th on the latest FIFA list and second highest among east African countries.

Of the 18 international matches the team has played so far, the national squad has won eight, drawn seven and lost three.

Though having failed to qualify for the Ghana finals of the African Cup of Nations, the Brazilian coach is busy preparing his team for the South Africa World Cup qualifiers.

Tanzania was drawn into the African Group One qualifying tourney with Cameroon, Mauritius and Cape Verde. Tanzania has never played Cameroon or Cape Verde. It tied Mauritius 0-0 at home and lost to the isles 3-2 away in the 2001 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Marcio Maximo, who is now on a family reunion holiday in Brazil, is planning to take his proteges to Brazil for intensified training before setting up a series of international warm-up matches for them.

Tanzania's first World Cup qualifier tie is scheduled for June next year.