The national under-17 soccer team left Tanzania yesterday for Brazil for a weeklong tour.

The team's contingent comprised of 20 people including 16 players, coaches Marcus Tinoco and his assistant Sylvester Marsh as well as the Coca-Cola representatives George Rwehumbiza and Albert Nsanzugwako from Mwanza.

The players are Kabali Faraji (Kigoma), Mohamed Hussein (Mwanza) and Ahmed Mohamed of Ilala.

Others are Sadick Yawasa, Doto Greyson (Ruvuma), Zahoro Jailani (Morogoro) and Adil Adam (Kigoma), Himid Mao (Temeke), Kenny Ally (Mbeya), Faraj Hussein (Mwanza), Moka Shaaan, Lambele Jerome (Kigoma), Joseph Mahundi (Ruvuma), Hemed Suleiman (Kigoma) and Ilala's Karim Sule.

Earlier, the team was planned to leave the country tomorrow, but the trip has been rescheduled due to unavoidable circumstances.

The team will stay overnight in Dubai and arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the next day.

The trip and camp for the team at Brazil's Soccer Academy, costs more than Sh62.5 million.

The team will train under Brazilian famous coach Carlos Alberto Pereira and eight others instructors.

Tinoco said while in camp, the Tanzanian team would meet other players from Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique.

"There will also be a special soccer competition pitting us against many countries.

This will help us to get more exposure," said Tinoco.

The team was handed over the national flag by the Ilala Member of Parliament Azan Zungu who asked the players to be keen during training and competitions.