Tanzania head coach Hamed Suleiman says his side is not scared of playing against Morocco.
The co-host of the 2024 African Nations Championship will clash with the Atlas Lions in the quarterfinal as they battle for a place in the last four of the tournament.
Speaking to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Suleiman commended the Moroccan team, saying they play with the same mentality as the senior national team.
“For me, we are playing against Morocco’s first team, not just the local side,” he said.
Despite the challenge, the coach remains optimistic.
“We respect them, but we’re not afraid. I know the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium will be full, because the Tanzanian people now believe in their team,” the coach said.
This is a historic moment for Tanzania, as the team has reached the knockout stage of CHAN for the first time.
Suleiman described it as a reward for his hard work and the determination of his players.
“Nobody believed we would go this far. I fought hard for these moments. I worked tirelessly, day and night. I’m the only one who believed in our ability to get out of the group stage,” the coach said.
The much-anticipated game has been scheduled to kick off at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam with kick-off at 18:00 GMT.
