AFCON 2023 : Tanzania positive ahead of Zambia battle on Sunday

Taifa Stars of Tanzania will hope to get their campaign back on track when they face Zambia on Sunday in a Group F tie at the ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Ivory Coast.

After falling 3-0 to Morocco in their opening match, the CECAFA representatives will have to be at their best to improve their chances of making it to the knock out stage by picking some points in the remaining two matches.

Team captain Mbwana Samatta though admitted that they had faced a very strong Morocco team in the first match, he has made it clear that they are ready to fight in the second match against Zambia on Sunday. ” We know that the second match means a lot for us if we are to have chances of making it to the next round, ” added Samatta.

The skipper who plies his trade for PAOK in Greece says they must work as a team and take their chances, but also be very cautious in defending. « We need to try to be clinical when we create the scoring chances, «  he added.

Meanwhile, the Taifa Stars will be handled in the remaining matches of the tournament by acting coach Hemd Suleiman Morocco and assistant Juma Ngunda.

The development follows the suspension of head coach Adel Amrouche by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) on Friday.

TFF suspended Amrouche following the eigh-match ban slapped on the Algerian born coach by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“A punishment was issued on January 18 by Caf’s Discipline Committee following complaints lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) against coach Amrouche,” said a communication by the TFF communications Officer, Clifford Ndimbo said.

Ndimbo said following the suspension of Amrouche, TFF’s Executive Committee appointed Hemed Morocco as interim head coach who will be assisted by local coach Juma Mgunda,

RMFF had complained to CAF that Amrouche mounted accusations that the North African country has an influence within CAF in pre-arranging match results and selection of referees.

Group F standing

                     P   W   D   L   GF  GA  GD   Pts

Morocco       1    1    0    0    3     0     3     3

DR Congo    1    0    1    0    1     1     0     1

Zambia        1    0    1    0     1     1     0     1

Tanzania      1    0    0    1    0     3   -3     0