Dar Es Salaam — TAIFA Stars coach Marcio Maximo has recalled Simba duo, Uhuru Selemani and Jabir Aziz, in his 28-man squad for the forthcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), first round tie against Somalia.

There is only one new face in the current squad, Azam FC's midfielder Selemani Kassim as Maximo opted to retain most of the players he called earlier this month for the buildup match against Uganda Cranes.

Mtibwa Sugar goalkeeper Shaban Kado remains as the team's first choice custodian and will be assisted by JKT Ruvu shot-stopper, Jackson Chove who reaps the rewards of his outstanding performance on goal with the army men in the top flight game.

There is no change in the backline as Shadrack Nsajigwa, Salum Kanoni, Juma Jabu, and Stephano Mwasika have been retained as fullbacks, while Nadir Haroub, Kelvin Yondan, Aggrey Morris and David Naftal are forming the central defence.

Aziz and Kassim have been added to strengthen the midfield, and they joined Abdullahim Humoud (Mtibwa), Erasto Nyoni (Azam), Shaban Nditi (Mtibwa), Juma Nyoso (Simba), Abdi Kassim (Yanga), Mbwana Samatta (African Lyon, U-20 national team), Nurdin Bakari, Kigi Makasi, and understudy Hamis Thabit (African Lyon, U-20 national team).

Thabit could be given a national team taste after impressing in youth ranks. Selemani, who scored a magnificent goal for premier league leaders, Simba, during a 3-1 win over JKT Ruvu last Saturday had his impressive come back recognized by the Brazilian and has been picked to boost the team's striking force, which consist of the league's top scorer Musa Hassan 'Mgosi' (Simba), Mrisho Ngasa (Yanga), John Bocco (Azam), Jerson Tegete (Yanga), Thomas Ulimwengu (Moro United, U-20 national team), Yusuf Soka (African Lyon, U-20 national team).

The team will go into residential camp on Tuesday evening, and start training the following morning ahead of the tricky East and Central African zone qualifier, scheduled to take place during the weekend of March 26-28 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Maximo had promised to retain the squad which played the Cecafa champions, the Cranes in Mwanza but said yesterday he decided to add the trio (Selemani, Kassim and Aziz) after being impressed by their performance.

"Kassim is a very good player. I saw him first at the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Kenya. He has maintained his good form with Azam (after moving from Zanzibar's Mafunzo in January).

"Aziz had a problem with his fitness but they've solved his problem and he automatically returns to team, Uhuru showed good performance after returning from injury and of course, deserves to be back into the team," said Maximo.

Speaking about the Somalia game, Maximo said he respects his opponents, but was confident his side will go past the first hurdle en-route to the second CHAN finals.

"We respect Somalia, they are capable of producing upset and in football you should always respect your opponent," he said adding, "We know that they will come to fight, they usually don't surrender.

"But we're very confident. Our objective is to go to CHAN, I hope we do again this time and we'll work for it," said the Brazilian, who however, warned his players that they must prove that they are favourites against the Somalis.

"We're the favourites on paper but we must prove our superiority that day on the pitch," Maximo said.

Maximo also talked about his future, ruling out the possibility of premature departure. He affirmed to honour his contract until it expires in July.

Both the football federation and Maximo have already said it clear that when the current contract expires they will not renew the deal.

The move has attracted a host of suitors who are looking for his service. The latest reports came from South Africa and suggested that he is being wanted to replace Dutchman Ruud Krol at Orlando Pirates next season.

Despite refusing to comment of the report, Maximo acknowledged that a lot of clubs from Europe, African, middle Asia and his homeland Brazil are looking for his services.

He said: "I cannot name the clubs as it would be disrespect to the coaches who are in charge.

But it is clearly that I won't terminate my contract with Tanzania, I'll make sure I honour the contract, no matter what."