Forfar full-back Roberto Nditi admits it is “crazy” he might go from playing at Peterhead in Scottish League Two to facing World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Basingstoke-born Nditi, 23, has been selected in Tanzania’s squad for Afcon in the Ivory Coast from 13 January.
The Taifa Stars’ first group match is against Morocco on 17 January.
“It’s a special moment for me and my family. I can’t wait to get going,” he told the Scottish Football podcast.
“It’s an opportunity I never thought would come but it has and I can’t wait.
“It’s a crazy situation when you put it into perspective – to go from Peterhead on Saturday to playing Morocco, world-class opposition.
“That would be an incredible opportunity. Even just to be involved in that situation, you dream of that and representing your nation.”
Nditi, who joined the ‘Loons’ in February 2021 and had a season at Queen of the South before returning to Station Park, hopes playing with and against top players at Afcon will enhance his own game.
He will join up with a squad containing former Aston Villa striker Mbwana Samatta, who now plays for Greek side PAOK Salonika.
“It is going to be a fabulous experience and I will get to learn from the other players, everyone is high quality out there,” added Nditi.
“Watching them, learning, taking bits out of their individual game. Samatta has played for Villa in the Premier League, and as a defender I can watch how he moves, and hopefully that will increase my game when I’m back at Forfar.”
Nditi, who qualifies for Tanzania through his parents, heads out to join his international team-mates on 26 December and will be in Africa until late January at the very least.
“I’ve had conversations with the manager, the assistant manager and the chairman, and I’m sure they weren’t expecting it – maybe even less than I was – but now they’re full of encouragement and positivity. They are excited for me,” said Nditi.
Tanzania, ranked 121st in the Fifa rankings, have one other UK-based player in their squad, Haji Mnoga, who plays for English National League side Aldershot Town.
This will be their fourth appearance in the final stages of Afcon and they are in Group F alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia as well as star-studded Morocco.
