TANZANIA host Guinea at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium this afternoon in their final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying match in Group H, desperate for maximum points to secure their spot at the continental showpiece.

On Saturday, Taifa Stars kept their AFCON 2025 qualification hopes alive after a 2-0 win against Ethiopia in Kinshasa. 

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.

 However, Tanzania are still two points behind their second-placed visitors. They must win against Guinea to qualify, and they will be counting on home advantage when they take to the pitch against the West Africans.

Tanzania came from behind to defeat Guinea 2-1 in the first leg of this fixture played in September and they are eager to build on it, a result that coach Morocco (pictured) is expected to use as inspiration for his side against an opponent they have won twice and lost once.

In his pre-match press, coach Morocco emphasized that all his players are in good shape and aware of what is at stake in the game.

“It is our last game that is a decider and we all know that as we try to do our best to ensure we get the desired result. I think we are in a better position than at any other time,” he said.

However, one concern for the Taifa Stars is their recent poor home record. Taifa Stars have not won any of their last three home matches, including the two they have played in this AFCON qualifying campaign against Ethiopia and DR Congo.

Despite the quick turnaround from the weekend's game at Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte, coach Morocco is set to pick a similar XI to that which lined up against Ethiopia, given what is at stake.

On the flip side, Guinea are heading into this encounter with the mission to avoid defeat, as a draw would be enough to clinch the second ticket in Group H.

Having begun their campaign with back-to-back losses, the National Elephants turned it around in style by winning their next three. 

A crushing 4-1 win over Ethiopia ignited a comeback, as they then beat them again 3-0 in the return.

Borussia Dortmund striker, Serhou Guirassy, scored a stoppage-time strike to secure all three points against Congo DR on Saturday, ensuring that the Syli National remain in the driving seat heading into the final game.

Head coach Kaba Diawara will be pleased with his team's turnaround in this AFCON qualifying series, having won their last three games in a row, scoring eight goals and conceding just once; six of those eight goals came from the in-form Guirassy.

Stats also show Guinea have won two of their last three away games – against Ethiopia in AFCON qualifiers and against Algeria in World Cup qualifiers – and this will give them confidence against Taifa Stars.

 Davids calls for focus ahead of crucial fixtures (PICHA: FADLU)

By Correspondent Nassir Nchimbi

SIMBA SC head coach, Fadlu Davids, has urged his squad to remain focused as they prepare for their rescheduled league clash against Pamba Jiji FC and their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup opener against Angola’s Bravos do Maquis.

The Mainland Premier League fixture, initially postponed, is now set to take place on November 22 at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza. 

Davids (pictured) views this match as a vital opportunity to fine-tune the team’s performance and maintain match fitness ahead of their Confederation Cup match on November 28.

Davids highlighted the importance of treating each match with the same intensity and avoiding complacency. Despite Simba's strong position at the top of the league table, he stressed the need to approach Pamba FC with determination and focus.

"Each match is critical for maintaining momentum. We cannot underestimate any opponent, regardless of their position in the table. Staying focused on Pamba is crucial before we think about Bravos," Davids emphasized.

The gaffer expressed confidence that the domestic encounter against Pamba Jiji will help the team stay sharp, particularly for players who did not participate in international fixtures during the AFCON qualifiers. 

Simba recently played a friendly match against KMC, which ended in a 1-1 draw, as part of their preparation.

"The friendly against KMC was helpful in keeping the players match-fit and maintaining our rhythm. While it wasn’t a competitive fixture, it allowed us to assess our performance and identify areas for improvement," he noted.

While Simba have been dominant this season - winning eight out of ten league matches, scoring 21 goals, and conceding only three - Davids cautioned against underestimating Pamba Jiji FC, who have struggled with just one win in 11 matches.

"It’s essential not to let our thoughts drift to the Bravos match prematurely. We must focus on each game individually. Underestimating Pamba would be a mistake, and I’ve reminded the players of the importance of staying grounded."

He added: "Uncertainty around the scheduling of the Pamba match caused some players to shift their focus to Bravos. While it's good that they are mentally preparing for the CAF game, the priority right now is Pamba."

Following the Pamba fixture, Simba will return to Dar es Salaam to host their first CAF Confederation Cup Group A match against Bravos do Maquis on November 28 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Simba have been drawn into a challenging group that also features CS Constantine from Algeria and CS Sfaxien from Tunisia.

Simba's performances in the Mainland Premier League, where they lead with 25 points after 10 matches, have set high expectations. Davids emphasized the importance of carrying the same level of discipline and effort into the continental competition.

"We need to ensure that the same level of commitment we show domestically is mirrored in our CAF campaign. The upcoming matches will test our ability to stay consistent under pressure," he said.

The coach aims to use the match against Pamba to refine Simba’s tactical play, both offensively and defensively, while maintaining their sharpness ahead of the Confederation Cup. 

Davids hopes that this strategic approach will provide a seamless transition into the higher-stakes competition.

For Simba fans, the next two weeks are crucial, with the team balancing their domestic dominance and continental aspirations. 

Davids is determined to ensure that Simba remain a force to be reckoned with on all fronts.