Taifa Stars have picked a morale boosting 2-1 win against Senegal in the last match of the CECAFA pre-CHAN Tournament played at the Black Rhino Academy ground in Karatu on Sunday.

Senegal, the defending TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) defending champions took the lead after only 8 minutes with a net Mapathe Mbodj finish.

Taifa Stars goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga failed to punch the ball far away from danger, giving Mbodj space to nod the ball in the next.

But the Tanzania team regrouped and attacked the Senegal team in numbers, forcing goalkeeper Mare Philips Arona Dioup to make several saves.

After recess Tanzania made some changes which paid off as Abdul Hamsi and Ibrahim Hamad scored.

Hamsi converted from the spot after Iddi Suleimani had been brought down in the box by a Seneglese defender. Four minutes later Tanzania piled more pressure and Hamad slotted the ball past the advancing Senegal goalkeeper.

Tanzania continued to dominate the game, as Senegal defended in numbers.

The win saw Tanzania finish top of the log in the CECAFA pre-CHAN Tournament with six points after they also beat Uganda Cranes 1-0 in the opening match. Uganda finished second with 3 points after their 2-1 victory over Senegal.

Souleymane Diallo, the Senegal coach said that although they lost the two matches against Uganda and Tanzania, it was good they had the matches to test certain things ahead of the CHAN tournament. “I am very happy that we came here and played these matches because now I know the changes I need to make,” added Diallo.

The Tanzania head coach Hemed Suleiman said he was very poorud of his players for the two wins. “We still need to improve on certain areas and also take our chances every time we create,” added the coach.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA competitions Director said that the mini tournament had helped two CECAFA teams Uganda and Tanzania to guage themselves better before the CHAN tournament.

The CHAN tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will take place August 2-30^th. The CECAFA Zone will be represented by Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Sudan.

Uganda Cranes defeated Senegal 2-1 in the second match of the on-going CECAFA pre-CHAN Tournament at the Black Rhino Sports Centre Stadium in Karatu, Tanzania.

Smarting from a 1-0 defeat to Tanzania in the first match, the Uganda Cranes came all out looking better coordinated and creating more scoring opportunities.

The first half saw Uganda’s Emmanuel Anyama miss a clear chance after 29 minutes, but shot wide.

Senegal’s Joseph Layousse Samb also missed for Senegal, while Ameth Niang’s strike was saved by Uganda’s goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa.

After recess the two teams made some changes and Arnord Odong put Uganda ahead after 64 minutes after a goal malee as the Senegal defenders failed to clear their lines.

Three minutes later Uganda was awarded a penalty after Senegal’s goalkeeper Marc Philips Arona fouled in the box. Substitute Patrick Kakande slotted in the penalty.

But the CHAN reigning champions kept pushing forward and were rewarded after 88 minutes when substitute Serigne Moctar Koite slotted in from close range.

Souleymane Diallo, Senegal’s head coach said although they lost the match to Uganda, the match had helped his team to pick out a few weak points that they must improve. “We need to change our game plan against Tanzania on Sunday,” added Diallo.

The Ugandan coach Morley Byekwaso said he was happy with the hunger his players showed on the pitch. “I am happy we managed to win the match, but also push more in attack and defending well,” added Byekwaso.

Auka Gecheo, the CECAFA Executive Director said as an institution they are happy organizing the tournament which has provided a platform form teams in the Zone to prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The head coach of Senegal’s CHAN team has said is very happy that his team will play two matches in the CECAFA Pre-CHAN Tournament.

Senegal, the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) title holders will face Uganda on Thursday in the second match of the regional tournament at the Black Rhino Academy Stadium in Karatu, Tanzania.

Speaking after arriving in Karatu on Wednesday afternoon, the Senegal coach Souleymane Diallo thanked CECAFA for inviting Senegal for the matches he says will help him test his team well enough.

“These two matches will be very important for my team as we prepare to try and defend the CHAN title in the tournament next month. Every competitive match that the team plays is very helpful because it helps us improve several aspects,” added coach Diallo.

After facing Uganda, the Senegal team that also defeated Guinea twice in friendly matches ahead of the CHAN competition will face Tanzania on July 27th.

The Terenga Lions will only have Serigne Moctar Koité as the only player who was part of the squad when they lifted the CHAN title in 2023 beating hosts Algeria in the final.

For CHAN Senegal are draw in Group D alongside Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville, and Sudan with their matches to be played in Zanzibar.

Senegal Squad

Goalkeepers: Idrissa Ndiaye, Samba Mballo, Marc P.A. Diouf

Defenders: Seyni Mbaye Ndiaye, Mbaye Ndiaye, Amadou Bene Coly, Layousse Samb, Malick Sembène, Baye Assane Ciss,    Daouda Ba

Midfielders: Ousseynou Fall Seck, Moussa Cissé, Bonaventure Fonseca, Serigne Moctar Koité, Mbaye Yaya Ly, Insa Boye, Issa Kane, Pape Abasse Badji

Forwards: Mapathé Mbodji, Libasse Gueye, Christian Gomis,    Oumar Ba, Vieux Cissé, Ababacar Sarr, Ameth Niang

2025

An early goal by Iddi Suleimani was enough to see hosts Tanzania stop Uganda 1-0 in the opening match of the CECAFA pre-CHAN Tournament 2025 on Tuesday.

Suleimani capitalized on a flat footed Ugandan defending line to slot the ball past goalkeeper Joel Mtakubwa after 14 minutes at the Black Rhino Academy Stadium in Karatu, Arusha region.

Uganda tried to settle and push forward with Yunus Sentamu and skipper Allan Okello, but only managed one shot which missed the target in the 45 minutes.

After recess the two teams made several changes, but the Taifa Stars team held it tight with experienced midfielders Feisal Salum and Mudathiri Yahya closing the spaces well.

Hemed Suleiman Ali, the tanzanin head coach said although his team defeated Uganda, they still have a lot to do as they prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“It is good we won the match, but it also helped us to assess the team well and see the areas were we need to improve. But we must also try to see that we utilize well the opportunies we create infront of goal,” added the coach.

The Ugandan coach Morley Byekwaso was equally happy that despite the defeat his team got the chance to play a competitive match to be able to see areas that need improvement. “We conceded an early goal because of a mistake, but we also had some weak points that we must strive to improve,” added Byekwaso.

Uganda will return to action against the CHAN reigning champions Senegal on Thursday at the same Stadium. The last match between Tanzania and Senegal will be played on July 27^th.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Director says having this tournament will help the teams have playing time and see where to improve ahead of the CHAN tournament. We thank the teams who have made it to the tournament, Tanzania Football Federation and our partners Azam TV for making this happen,” added Mossi.