DEFENDERS and midfielders now featuring for the 2023/24 NBC Premier League clubs should be alert when seeking to keep left-footed players in check because such performers are very skillful.

A football coach, Athumani Juma, alias 'Nageeza', revealed to The Guardian in Tanga recently left-footed players have, worldwide, proved to be skillful given they have lots of techniques on the pitch.

 Juma, who is also a soccer referee and a teacher, had tutored at Mwanza's Butimba Teachers Training College.

 He was assigned at the institution by the then Football Associations of Tanzania (FAT) to serve as an instructor for referees and coaches between 1985 and the early 1990s.

 The instructor recently shared his experiences in soccer, disclosing naturally persons who mostly use either their left hand or left leg are talented, adding they have mathematical skills and hence many of them can solve mathematical calculations. 

 "Left-footed players can execute accurate passes and have dribbling skills," Juma revealed.

 The coach said: "Many left-footed strikers have more techniques and can excellently dribble past defenders and, if the latter are tormented, they end up making unnecessary fouls that give the former's clubs an advantage."

 According to Juma, the other unique qualities that left-footed footballers have are that their legs are very strong and they have what it takes to execute fierce long-range strikes.

 The coach remarked: "These players can open up opponents' defenses and even score goals from long distance, approximately over 18 meters from the goal line".

He issued examples of some left-footed players now playing in the NBC Premier League, who seem to be excellent footballers.

They are Yanga's Burkinabe midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki and his teammate, youthful defensive midfielder Shekhan Hamis, Simba SC's winger Edwin Balua and left-back Mohamed Hussein, and Geita Gold FC's forward Nassoro Saadun.

 Juma noted: "Let's come to a real example, although Yanga has a squad boasting depth, meaning almost every number has two competent footballers, Aziz Ki's absence in tough clashes is always visible, a situation that can prompt the coach to work hard to come up with better tactics for his players throughout the ties."

 "Aziz Ki has great footwork, I think everyone has witnessed some tough matches Yanga has played, for instance, the CAF Champions League quarterfinal matches against Mamelodi Sundowns, an NBC Premier League match versus Tabora United and the CRDB Bank Federation clash against the same opponent, as well as the league clash against long-time rival Simba SC, he did a good job in the duels," the coach remarked.

 Commenting on Balua, the tactician pointed out that the Simba SC new signing, who joined the outfit from Tanzania Prisons during the mini-transfer period, will prove to be a dependable player that will make it to the starting lineup if his new club's coach gives him chance to showcase his potential.

Juma noted: "(Former Simba SC coach) Benchika did not give him many chances like other players but, in the few games he has played, a good coach needs to give the winger few directives, the footballer can show what the club's fans dreamed of."

 "Hussein is the only player who has stayed at Simba SC for almost a decade, having played under many coaches, but I did not hear he has been out of action because of injuries. He does not hold the ball for a long time and lets opponents easily tackle him," Juma said.

 The tactician remarked: "This experience is pure because- during my time as an instructor- I have seen that many talented players are the left-footed ones."