Algiers — The national soccer team, Taifa Stars, delegation arrived safely here ahead of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against their host Algeria on Friday.

The delegation made of 20 players and 10 officials spent more than six hour flying from Doha, Qatar, where they spent a night after a 5.30 hour flight from Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

They were met by officials from Algeria Football Federation (AFF) and tens of members of the Association of Tanzania Students in Algeria (ATSA), who were jovially singing Swahili songs to welcome Taifa Stars in Algeria.

It was colourful moment at the Houari Boumedienne International Airport as the students waved Tanzania flags to catch the attention of the boarding and disembarking passengers. ATSA President Habib Luombo told tff.or.tz that they were prepared to cheer for Taifa Stars so that the players and officials really feel at home.

Head Coach Jan Poulsen said after arrival that Algeria are favourites on papers but the Danish is confident his boys will fight to return home with positive results. The tactician has adopted President Barack Obama's iconic slogan 'Yes We Can' as he prepares his team for group D's opening match.

The Algeria-Tanzania clash which is scheduled to take place at the Mustapha-Tchaker in Algiers will be officiated by Togolese referee Djobi Kokou. The kick-off is 2200hrs local time (0000hrs East African Time).

Kokou officiated the famous all-north African clash in the CAF Champions League between JSK Al-Ahly in Tizi Ouzou, 10 days ago. According to reports, tickets for the eagerly-anticipated clash went on sell from Tuesday night and will run until Thursday.

Tanzania delegation includes goalkeepers, Shabaan Hassan 'Kado' (Mtibwa Sugar) and Jackson Chove (Azam FC). Defenders: Shadrack Nsajigwa (Yanga), Salum Kanoni (Simba), Aggrey Morris (Azam FC), Erasto Nyoni (Azam FC), Nadir Haroub (Yanga), Stephano Mwasika (Yanga) and Idrisa Rajabu (Sofapaka).

Midfielders are Jabir Aziz (Azam FC), Nurdin Bakari (Yanga), Abdi Kassim (Yanga), Seleman Kassim (Azam FC), Henry Joseph (Kongsivinger Il, Norway), Nizar Khalfan (Vancouver White Caps, Canada). Strikers are Mrisho Khalfan Ngassa (Azam), Mussa Hassan 'Mgosi' (Simba), John Bocco (Azam FC) and Danny Mrwanda (Vietnam).

Officials include; Brassy Kiondo (head of delegation), Zam Ali (assistant head of delegation), Jan Poulsen (head coach), Sylvester Marsh (assistant coach), Mwanandi Mwankemwa (physician), and Alfred Chimela (kit manager). The team is accommodated at Hilton Hotel, situated at offshore of Mediterranean Sea.