Tanzania suffer defeat in warm-up tie ahead of Africa Cup of Nations

The Taifa Stars of Tanzania suffered a 2-0 defeat to hosts Egypt in an international friendly match played in Cairo last night.

The two teams used the match to prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 which kicks off January 13th, 2024 in Cote d’Ivoire.

Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ gave the hosts the lead after 33 minutes, before skipper Muhamed Salah converted a second half penalty after Omar Marmoush had been brought down in the box.

Taifa Stars tried to create some scoring opportunities, but lacked the finishing touch.

Mbwana Samatta, the Taifa Stars skipper who plies his trade in Greece said playing Egypt in a build-up match had given them some good lessons. ” Egypt is a strong team in the continent and playing them has helped us pick some lessons that we shall work on going into the AFCON, ” added Samatta.

Adel Amrouche, the Taifa Stars head coach has also made it clear that his team has prepared well in Egypt and they are going to the AFCON to compete and not to participate. ” There is not easy game in the competition, and we need to fight in all matches, ” he added.

The Tanzanian team expected to arrive in Cote d’Ivoire later on Monday today will start their Group F campaign against 2022 FIFA World Cup semi finalists Morocco on January 17th, and later take on Zambia on January 21st. They will line-up against DR Congo in the last Group match on January 24th.

Group A : Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau

Group B : Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mozambique

Group C : Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia

Group D : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola

Group E : Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia

Group F : Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania