Thomas Ulimwengu zum Hamburger SV?

National U-23 team striker Thomas Ulimwengu is on the verge of a breakthrough with a top German side, Hamburg FC, after impressing during trials.The striker, who had a series of trials in Sweden last year, flew to Germany early this month and reports have it that Hamburg FC are keen on signing him.

“Officials in Hamburg were very impressed with Ulimwengu after a two-week trial stint and are keen on hiring his services,” confirmed Jamhuri Kihwelu, the national U-23 head coach.Kihwelu said the Bundesliga outfit would soon begin negotiations with the Tanzania Soccer Academy (TSA), to sign the up-and-coming striker.

Ulimwengu, who last month underwent trials with the Africa’s champions, TP Mazembe, is jointly owned by the TSA, an entity run by the TFF and agent Damas Ndumbaro. “Ulimwengu has all it takes to become one of the best strikers on the planet, and now that this chance has come, I believe that his future will be bright,” said the outspoken coach.
Kihwelu’s lads face an arduous task of eliminating Nigeria on Sunday as they gun for their first entry in the 2012 Olympic Games set for London.

“He has already joined his teammates at the camp and I hope that the news of passing the trials will motivate him ahead of our match against Nigeria at the National Stadium,” Kihwelu said.

TFF information officer Boniface Wambura said the federation was waiting for official report from Ndumbaro before starting talks with the German club. “It’s still too early to confirm anything, we understand that Hamburg are interested in signing him, but we’ve to discuss it with his agent before the negotiations begin,” he said.