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Serengeti Boys face Zambia in 2025 Afcon opener today

Tanzania’s national U-17 football team, Serengeti Boys, pose at Morocco’s Bashir Mohammedia Stadium, which will be used during AFCON 2025. PHOTO | COURTESY

By  Majuto Omary

Sports Reporter

Mwananchi Communications Ltd

What you need to know:

  • Zambia and Tanzania have a history of producing talented young players, and both sides will be eager to start their Afcon journey on a high note.

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania’s U-17 national football team, the Serengeti Boys, will kick off their CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2025 campaign today with a high-stakes encounter against Zambia.

The match, set to take place at Bashir Mohammed Stadium in Mohammedia, Morocco, is scheduled to start at 5pm East African Time. 

This Group A clash is expected to be a thrilling contest given the competitive nature of both teams in youth football. 

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Zambia and Tanzania have a history of producing talented young players, and both sides will be eager to start their Afcon journey on a high note. With a ticket to the quarterfinals at stake, both teams will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory.

Tanzania’s head coach, Aggrey Morris, has expressed confidence in his squad ahead of the opening fixture.

According to Morris, the team has undergone thorough preparations and is mentally and physically ready to face Zambia.

“All players are in top morale and ready to deliver the best performance. We respect Zambia but we are not intimidated. We have prepared well and are determined to give our best,” said Morris.

The Serengeti Boys have shown remarkable progress in recent years and their participation in this year’s Afcon is another step in their development.

With a blend of talented youngsters eager to make an impact, Tanzania will be looking to make history by advancing deep into the tournament. Apart from Zambia, Tanzania has been drawn into Group A alongside the host nation Morocco, and East African rivals Uganda.

Following their opening match against Zambia, the Serengeti Boys will face Uganda on April 3 at 8pm before concluding their group-stage campaign against Morocco on April 6 at 11pm.

The competition format dictates that the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams across all groups, will advance to the quarterfinals.

This means every point is crucial for Tanzania’s chances of progressing to the next stage. Group B consists of Cameroon, Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Egypt. Group C features Senegal, Gambia, Somalia, and Tunisia, while Group D includes Mali, Angola, Ivory Coast, and the Central African Republic.

The quarterfinals will commence on April 10, followed by the semifinals, with the final set for April 19.

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