Tanzania, Uganda face last hurdles in attempt to qualify for AFCON 2023

CECAFA representatives Tanzania and Uganda will be in action later tonight in Group F matches in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2023 qualifiers.

Taifa Stars who are second in the group with 7 points play away against table leaders Algeria at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba, while Uganda Cranes who have 4 points take on Niger in a match to be played in Marrakech, Morocco.

Adel Amrouche, the Tanzanian coach made it clear yesterday that facing Algeria is tough. But he says his team has the quality who bring a lot to the team. ” This is a special game and we need players with experience and have the spirit to go out and fight,  ” added Amrouche.

Experienced forward Simon Msuva has also made it clear that they have prepared and they have a chance to get something special from this match. ” We know what this match means to us and we are going to work hard to try and get the best result, ” added Msuva.

In Marrakech, the Uganda Cranes tactician Milutin Micho Sredojevic has made it clear that although Niger is bottom of the group, they will be a difficult opponent to face because they have nothing to play for apart from pride. ” We know this match means a lot to us if we hope to qualify for AFCON and also hope that the other group match registers the result that favours us, ” added Sredojevic.

Khalid Aucho, the captain said the players are very motivated and ready to represent the nation well. ” We call upon for more support from our fellow Ugandans because we know we will make it and take Uganda to the AFCON, ” added Aucho.

Two other teams from the CECAFA Zone will be in action on Friday to complete their qualification campaign. Ethiopia who are bottom of Group D will play away to Egypt, wile South Sudan will also take on hosts Mali in a Group G match.

On Saturday Sudan who have a slim chance of qualification will play away to DR Congo in a Group I match, while Rwanda who are bottom of Group L will face reigning African champions Senegal in Dakar.

At the end of the qualifiers on September 12th when Burundi play the last match away to Cameroon in another Group C deciding match, all the 24 teams that will take part in the AFCON 2023 in Code d’Ivoire will be known.

The AFCON 2023 will take place in five host cities in Cote d’Ivoire from 13 January to 11th February 2024.