Dar Es Salaam — THE national soccer team, Ngorongoro Heroes is expected to jet off on Thursday morning for Asmara, Eritrea, for the CECAFA U-20 Challenge Cup 2010 due to kick off this weekend in the tiny horn-of-African nation.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) spokesperson, Florian Kaijage said yesterday in Dar es Salaam that Tanzania's delegation to Asmara would comprise 20 players and five officials.

He said Heroes coach, Rodrigo Stockler, has retained the squad that participated in the African Youth Championship qualifiers, before crashing out to Ivory Coast last Saturday.

The team will have two days to acclimatize with the cold weather in the Eritrea's capital before their first game on Saturday against the hosts.

After seeing his team crash out in the continental qualifiers, Stokcler said they are going to shift their focus on the Asmara tournament.

He said they were fired to win the regional youth meet, but warned nothing will come on a silver plate, insisting that indeed his side is to face tough opposition in the two-week long competition.

"It is always very difficult against the host team but also we have Sudan, Kenya and Somalia in the group, they are all strong opponents. But we have got a stronger team that can play against any side and hopefully we'll go through," Stockler said.

Tanzania would also play Kenya, Sudan and Somalia in group A matches.

Group B pits the likes of Uganda, Zanzibar, Rwanda and invitees, Yemen. Two teams from each group will proceed to the semi-final stage and Stockler said his first mission will be to get into the semis. Heroes regroup today after a two-day break.

Among the players making up Heroes squad include; Wandwi William, Salehe Malande, Salum Telela, Abuu Ubwa Zuberi, Amani Kyata, Omari Mtaki, Himid Mao, Omega Seme, Rajabu Isihaka, Furaha Tembo and Mbwana Samatta.

Others are Kelvin Chale, Lambele Jerome, Johanes Salvatory, Ibrahim Rajabu, Issa Rashid, Abdallah Bunu, Yusuf Soka, Salum Abubakar and Tumba Sued.