AFCON 2023 : Tanzania draw against 10-man Zambia

Tanzania have settled for a 1-1 draw against Zambia to pick their first point at the ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Ivory Coast.

Simon Msuva gave Taifa Stars the lead after 11 minutes after a good cross by skipper Mbwana Samatta at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San-Pedro.

Taifa Stars capitalised on a blunder by the Zambian defenders before Samatta released Msuva who made no mistake shooting past the Chipolopolo goalkeeper.

Tanzania continued to dominate play and defending well enough to shut out the few attacks by the Zambian strikers. After 44 minutes Zambian captain Roderick Kabwe was sent-off after picking a second yellow card.

In the second half Taifa Stars interim coach Hemed Suleiman Morocco made some changes especially in the midfield as they tried to utilise their one man advantage.

After 62 minutes Taifa Stars goalkeeper Ashi Manula stopped a well taken shot by Daka. Zambia continued to defend in numbers as they tried to push forward on the break. After 88 minutes Daka who features for Leicester City in the English Premier League leveled matters with a well timed header off a corner kick.

Taifa Stars, the sole CECAFA representatives who kick started their campaign with a 3-0 will now face DR Congo in their last Group F match on 24th, January, 2024.

Morocco who drew 1-1 with DR Congo in an earlier match today lead the group with 4 points, while DR Congo and Zambia each have 2 points, and Tanzania are bottom with 1 point.

Group F standing

                     P   W   D    L   GF  GA  GD   Pts

Morocco       2    1    1    0    4     1     3     4

DR Congo    2    0    2    0    2     2     0     2

Zambia         2    0    2    0    2     2     0     2

Tanzania      2    0    1     1    1     4   -3     1