Tanzania head coach Hemed Suleiman Ali has stressed the importance of securing a victory in their opening match of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) against Burkina Faso, as the hosts prepare to launch their Group B campaign in front of home supporters in Dar es Salaam.
With excitement building across the city, the Taifa Stars are set to take to the field in a tournament that offers them a chance to make history by advancing beyond the group stage for the first time.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Coach Suleiman made it clear that nothing less than a winning start will satisfy his ambitions.
“In a tournament of this magnitude, starting with a win is essential. It sets the right tone and builds momentum within the squad,” he said. “I urge our supporters to come in large numbers to back the team. Their presence and energy can push us forward.”
Tanzania’s preparation for CHAN 2024 has included a training camp in Egypt and competitive outings in the CECAFA Pre-CHAN tournament, where they faced Uganda and Senegal.
Suleiman expressed satisfaction with the progress made during this period, noting that the team has gelled well both tactically and mentally ahead of the showdown with Burkina Faso.
“We’ve had solid preparation. The camp in Egypt and our friendlies gave us a chance to assess our strengths and address key areas. Now, it’s about execution,” he explained.
On the tactical front, the Taifa Stars will look to midfield duo Feisal Salum and Mudathiri Yahya to orchestrate play and provide creativity in the engine room.
Both players have shown strong chemistry and are expected to play a pivotal role in breaking down a physically imposing Burkinabe side.
Defensively, experience will be key, with seasoned full-backs Shomari Kapombe and Mohamed Hussein set to anchor the backline. Their leadership and composure under pressure are likely to be instrumental in maintaining Tanzania’s defensive discipline throughout the tournament.
Tanzania has participated in the CHAN tournament twice before—in 2009 in Ivory Coast and again in 2020 in Cameroon—but on both occasions, the East African side failed to progress beyond the group stage.
This year, with home advantage and growing confidence, the Taifa Stars are determined to rewrite that history.
Group B is expected to be fiercely contested, with Central African Republic, Mauritania, and Madagascar all posing unique challenges. Coach Suleiman is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task ahead but remains optimistic that his squad can rise to the occasion.
“This is a tough group with no easy matches,” he admitted. “But we’ve worked hard to prepare, and now it’s up to the players to deliver. We believe in our chances.”
As the countdown to kickoff continues, the Tanzanian camp remains focused, knowing that a successful start could pave the way for a breakthrough campaign on home soil. The stage is set, the stakes are high, and Tanzania is ready to make its mark.
