Dar Es Salaam — TANZANIA Street children team depart tomorrow for South Africa, ahead of the inaugural World Cup soccer tournament set to kick off in Durban on Sunday.

The team of nine players under the tutelage of Sylvester Marsh is listed in Group B in the nine countries pilot tournament.

The local side first assignment would be on Tuesday against Philippines.

Presenting the national flag to the team Captain Thereza Zakaria, Assistant Director of Sports in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports, Juliana Yassoda called upon the team to strive for excellence, discipline and tactical obedience if they are to perform well in the championships.

The players forming the team are Captain Thereza Zakaria, Waniya Shabani, Juma Athumani, Yusuph Buzwilima, James Kabati, Jeluso Lufiri, Denis Mkolelwa, Sadoki Nglalaba and Emmanuel Samson.

Other teams listed in Tanzania group are Brazil and Ukraine while Group A entrants are hosts South Africa, United Kingdom, India and Vietnam.

The Tanzanian captain promised to put up a spirited fight to win honour for the nation.

President of the Tanzania Street Children's Sports Academy, Altaf Hirani, expressed his delight for the opportunity that has been unveiled for the local children.

Hirani said apart from playing, the event would see children from different parts in the world discussing issues that are important to them, and to launch an international campaign to make a difference on these issues, building a better future for hundreds of thousands of street children throughout the world.

"Children from nine countries will come together and find their voices through the global language of the game they love," said Hirani.

During the event, teams will work with international coaches to express themselves on the football pitch and with specially trained artists who will enable them to tell their stories.