Taifa Stars face Guinea in crucial Afcon qualifier
Taifa Stars players pose for a group photo in a past match. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- As the stakes are high for both teams, today's encounter is expected to be a thrilling battle, with Taifa Stars aiming to make history and secure their place in the prestigious Afcon tournament.
Dar es Salaam. The national football team, Taifa Stars, faces a must-win encounter today against Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers for next year’s finals in Morocco.
The Group H match will kick off at 4pm at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Taifa Stars currently sit third in the group with seven points from five matches, while Guinea are second with nine points. DR Congo, already qualified for the finals, lead the group with 12 points.
For Taifa Stars to secure a spot in the Afcon finals, only a victory will suffice. On the other hand, Guinea need just a draw to book their ticket to Morocco.
Taifa Stars' leading scorer, Simon Msuva, expressed the team's readiness and determination.
“We will play with focus and determination because we are facing one of the toughest teams in the competition. We cannot rely on our previous 2-1 victory over Guinea since this match is entirely different,” Msuva said.
He urged Tanzanian fans to turn up in large numbers to support the team. Thanks to President Samia Suluhu Hassan's gesture of purchasing all match tickets for fans to enjoy free entry into the stadium.
Taifa Stars interim head coach Hemed “Morocco” Suleiman also expressed confidence in the team's preparedness.
“The standings highlight how crucial this match is for us. Only a win will secure our place in the Afcon finals for the fourth time in history,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenge posed by Guinea, Suleiman emphasised the team’s goal of securing victory.
“We are playing against a tough team that remains unbeaten in our group, but our primary target is to win. The players are highly motivated, and they understand what Tanzanian fans expect from them,” he added.
Suleiman promised that his team would perform at their best.
“It is a decisive match. We need to be keen and execute our game plan effectively. We’ve prepared well, and we are confident of achieving victory,” he concluded.
As the stakes are high for both teams, today's encounter is expected to be a thrilling battle, with Taifa Stars aiming to make history and secure their place in the prestigious Afcon tournament.
