The match, part of Group E, will be played at the Alphonce Massamba-Debat Stadium, kicking off at 1pm East African Time
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania national football team, Taifa Stars, will today face Congo Brazzaville in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying clash that could shape their chances of reaching football’s biggest stage.
The match, part of Group E, will be played at the Alphonce Massamba-Debat Stadium, kicking off at 1pm East African Time.
Later tonight at 10pm, Morocco will host Niger in another key encounter in the group.
Currently, Tanzania sits second in the group with nine points from five matches, trailing Morocco, who top the standings with 15 points. Under the guidance of coach Hemed Suleiman, the Stars, who reached the CHAN 2024 quarter-finals, are determined to secure three vital points on the road to maintain their World Cup hopes.
This fixture marks Tanzania’s second meeting with Congo Brazzaville in the group. The first encounter was a controversial forfeit win for the Stars after FIFA penalized the hosts.
While the initial decision was later overturned, Tanzania retained the points, giving them a crucial boost in the standings. A win in Brazzaville today would reinforce the Stars’ strong record in the group.
So far, Tanzania has won two matches outright, defeating Niger and Zambia 1-0 in each game, while losing 2-0 to Morocco. The team has scored a total of five goals and conceded four, all against the North African giants Morocco.
The team captain, Mbwana Samatta, will lead the squad, providing experience and leadership on the pitch, while key players such as Simon Msuva, Clement Mzize, Novatus Damian, and Feisal Salum are expected to make decisive contributions.
Coach Suleiman emphasized that the Stars must remain vigilant against a fast-paced Congolese side, which has a reputation for scoring early goals. In a previous encounter against Zambia, Congo took a 2-0 lead in the first half before eventually succumbing to a comeback, highlighting their potential threat if underestimated.
“The team is well-prepared for this away fixture and focused on securing a positive result before returning home to face Niger on September 9 at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar,” Suleiman said.
Beyond tactics and preparation, the match is also a test of the Stars’ resilience and mental strength on foreign soil. Playing away in Brazzaville presents unique challenges, including a vocal home crowd and a high-tempo style of play that demands concentration from the first whistle.
Analysts say that a victory today would not only boost Tanzania’s World Cup qualifying prospects but also provide a psychological edge heading into the final group stages.
With stakes high, the Stars are expected to combine defensive discipline with quick attacking transitions, relying on Samatta’s finishing ability, Msuva’s creativity, and the emerging talents of local league stars like Feisal Salum to break through Congo’s defense.
The outcome of this match could determine whether Tanzania keeps pace with Morocco at the top of Group E or faces a challenging road to secure qualification.
Taifa Stars’ fans will be watching closely, hoping that the team’s mix of experience, talent, and determination delivers a vital away victory, reinforcing Tanzania’s growing stature in African football and keeping alive dreams of appearing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
