More Afcon agony for Tanzania after head coach is suspended for 8 matches

Dar es Salaam. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has thrown a wrench into Tanzania's national football team plans with an 8-match suspension for head coach Adel Amrouche.

The disciplinary action stems from his controversial comments before their World Cup qualifier against Morocco.

Just a day before the crucial match, Amrouche made inflammatory claims, accusing the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) of manipulating the African football landscape.

He specifically pointed to the rescheduled match timing, shifted from evening to nighttime, as evidence of Morocco's undue influence.

However, Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) president Wallace Karia swiftly refuted these accusations.

Karia clarified that the rescheduled match was due solely to television rights and adherence to CAF regulations, emphasizing that TFF had no involvement in the decision.

He further distanced the federation from Amrouche's remarks, stating that they were his personal opinions and not representative of TFF's stance.

Taking these claims seriously, RMFF lodged a formal complaint with CAF's disciplinary committee. After a thorough investigation, the committee convened in Ivory Coast and delivered their verdict: an 8-match suspension for Amrouche for his "unacceptable and inappropriate behavior."

This suspension deals a significant blow to Taifa Stars as they navigate their World Cup qualifying campaign.

In response, TFF has taken immediate action, suspending Amrouche from his coaching duties and appointing assistant coach Hemed Morocco, as acting head coach.

The experienced Juma Mgunda will assist Suleiman in this interim role.

While the team grapples with this unexpected change in leadership, the question of Amrouche's future with Taifa Stars remains unanswered.

This controversy has undoubtedly cast a shadow over Tanzania's World Cup aspirations, adding a layer of uncertainty to their crucial upcoming matches.