10-man Tanzania make false start in TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations

Tanzania have made a false start in their Group F campaign at the ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Cotde d’Ivoire.

The Taifa Stars who were reduced by one player suffered a 3-0 defeat to 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in a match played at the Laurent Poku Stadium in San Pedro on Wednesday evening.

Coach Adel Amrouche’s team kept the Morocco team at bay for the early part of the first half, but Romain Saïss made it 1-0 with a tap-in after Tanzanian goalkeeper Aishi Manula had parried back Hakim Ziyech’s free kick.

Taifa Stars’ skipper Mbwanna Samatta was all alone in-front with very little supply.

After the interval Tanzania were reduced by one player after Novatus Miroshi received a second yellow for a reckless challenge on Azzi-Eddine Ounahi after 70 minutes. After going a man-less the Atlas Lions of Morocco run rings round the Taifa Stars team creating lots of space.

Azz-Eddine Ounahi and Youssef En-Nesyri added two more goals for coach Walid Regragui’s team. Tanzania received three yellow cards, while Morocco picked two.

Tanzania will next face Zambia on January21st, and wind up with the last Group J match on January 24th against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tanzania are the only team that qualified from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) to play at the AFCON 2023.