Taifa Stars’ rivals known ahead of 2024 CHAN finals

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national football team, Taifa Stars, has been drawn into Group B for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to take place in August.

Group B also features Mauritania, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.

The draw has sparked mixed reactions regarding Taifa Stars' opponents. While optimism exists, most football coaches are insisting the importance of avoiding complacency.

Former Tanzania U-15 coach Abel Mtweve remarked that Taifa Stars are in a competitive group. Despite the potential to advance to the top 16, quarterfinals, semi-finals, and the final, Mtweve stressed the need for the team’s meticulous preparations.

He said in football today, there are no longer "underdogs" due to the sport’s development globally.

In light of this, The Citizen has analysed the teams in Group B:

Tanzania

Tanzania will be making their third appearance in the CHAN, having first featured in the inaugural tournament held in Ivory Coast in 2009 under Brazilian head coach Marcio Maximo but were eliminated in the group stage.

Taifa Stars returned in 2020, competing in the edition held in Cameroon, but again did not progress past the group stage. At that time, the team was led by Burundian tactician Etienne Ndayiragije.

In the current FIFA rankings, Tanzania are placed 106th, becoming the second-highest-ranked team in Group B behind Burkina Faso who are 66th in the FIFA rankings.

Mauritania

Mauritania will also be competing in the CHAN for the third time, having competed in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions. In 2022, they reached the quarterfinals but exited at that stage.

The nation has made significant strides in football, as evidenced by their improved FIFA ranking of 109th.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso are the highest-ranked team in Group B, sitting 66th in the FIFA rankings. They have competed in the CHAN three times (2014, 2018, and 2020), but have yet to advance beyond the group stage.

Notably, Burkina Faso have played against Tanzania twice in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and won both encounters.

Madagascar

Madagascar pose another challenge in Group B. This will be their second CHAN appearance after securing third place in 2022. Currently placed 116th in the FIFA rankings, Madagascar have faced Tanzania multiple times.

In 2021, during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Taifa Stars defeated Madagascar 3-2 at home and later secured a 1-1 draw away.

Central African Republic

This will mark the Central African Republic’s debut in the CHAN. The team is currently 135th in the FIFA rankings.

Historically, Tanzania and the Central African Republic have met twice since 2011, with each side winning one match.

Comments from Taifa Stars Head Coach

Taifa Stars head coach Hemed "Morocco" Suleiman expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete.

He noted that all the qualified teams for the CHAN are strong and emphasised the importance of preparing well for the tournament.

Suleiman highlighted the talent within the Taifa Stars squad and expressed optimism about making the nation proud.