TANZANIA cruised past Ethiopia at the Pentecost Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa, DR Congo on Saturday to keep their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualification hopes alive.

First-half goals from Saimon Msuva and Feisal Salum saw Hemed Morocco's side bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to group leaders DR Congo last month to claim their second win of the qualifying campaign in Group H.

Iraq-based Msuva opened the scoring for the Taifa Stars in the 15th minute, heading in from close range after a well-executed corner by Novatus Miroshi.

Tanzania continued to dominate proceedings, doubling their advantage in the 31st minute when Feisal Salum nodded home an inviting cross from Shomari Kapombe.

The result keeps Tanzania within two points of second placed Guinea who beat DR Congo 1-0 to move to nine points. Striker Serhou Guirassy scored the decisive goal, bringing his tally to six goals in three matches.

Ethiopia, rooted to the bottom of the group with just one point, have been eliminated from contention while DR Congo have already sealed a ticket to Morocco.

With DR Congo already through, the final group match between Tanzania and Guinea tomorrow will decide who joins them at the continental showpiece. Tanzania must win to qualify while a draw will be enough for Guinea at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Now, coach Morocco is desperate to avoid any slip-ups from his side as he targets a place in the AFCON 2025. 

Reacting after the game, Morocco emphasized the magnitude of the Guinea match and the need to strategize for a victory.

“It was a difficult game because Ethiopia has always been a team that wants to keep possession and are technically good. We knew that and did our best to block them. We wanted to kill the game early and I think we succeeded in doing that,” he said.

“We created a lot of chances but could not fully utilize them. We scored two goals and thereafter managed the game to contain pressure from Ethiopia. Sometimes it is more difficult to play against a team with nothing to lose.”

He added: “Congratulations to the players, the three points were crucial and we got them. We now shift focus to the next game. 

“The next game is more challenging because to qualify for the AFCON finals we need to win at home. We have to plan to ensure we return to the AFCON finals.”