THE Taifa Stars’ journey to seal a coveted spot at the 2025 AFCON culminates today in a make-or-break, epic matchup against Guinea at the majestic Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium here in Dar es Salaam.

Indeed, today’s high stakes clash is likely to be a hard-fought, compelling affair between two teams who know that only a victory will secure their qualification for the perpetually enthralling AFCON finals next year.

In the last round of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers that took place last weekend, the Taifa Stars topped Ethiopia 2-0 in a vital Group H qualifier, which increased the Stars’ tally of points to seven.

The problem is that in Guinea’s key qualifier against the Group H table-toppers, the DR Congo, last weekend, the West African contenders astonishingly earned a wafer-thin 1-0 triumph over runaway group leaders.

It should be noted here that the DR Congo have already claimed a berth at the 2025 AFCON finals and they did so in fine style too.

Returning to Guinea’s stunning triumph against the DRC, that victory increased the West African side’s number of points in Group H to nine.

This then means that the Taifa Stars have seven points heading into today’s all-important football contest while their opponents Guinea possess nine points.

Considering that today’s momentous football duel is the last match of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers across the vast expanse of the continent, it is patently obvious that if Tanzania can prevail against Guinea, then it will mean that the Taifa Stars will have qualified for the much-anticipated AFCON finals next year.

With Guinea being only two points ahead of us in the Group H standings, a draw for the Taifa Stars today will see us ultimately come up short of our goal, which is to qualify for the eagerly awaited 2025 AFCON finals.

Thus, as an expectant nation waits for a pleasing victory, it is hoped that the Taifa Stars can fabulously deliver the goods against their tricky opponents, Guinea today.

Let us now turn our attention to local football where the Young Africans SC coach Miguel Gamondi was axed last weekend following two deeply disappointing, consecutive defeats in the NBC Premier League.

While not wishing to raise the ire of countless Young Africans supporters, I feel that the club’s move to dismiss their Argentinean head coach was utterly uncalled for.

It should be remembered that Young Africans had suffered a mere two losses on the trot, which definitely does not indicate that the team are in a worrying slump.

Yes, Dear Reader, I hear you bellowing at me that one of those losses came against the lowly Tabora United, which was likely the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Nevertheless, perfection in any human endeavour including football is undeniably unattainable.

In light of that, one feels that Gamondi should have been given more time in the Young Africans hot seat, especially when one remembers that he exceptionally steered the club to win both the Premier League trophy and the Federations Cup last season.

That being said, there is no use in crying over spilt milk. As Young Africans SC ready themselves for the upcoming CAF Champions League’s group stage to kick-off, one can only hope that they do not come to greatly rue the sacking of their Argentinean tactician.