TANZANIA’s national football team, Taifa Stars, is gearing up for a crucial AFCON 2025 qualifying match against Ethiopia, with interim head coach Hemed "Morocco" Suleiman emphasizing the importance of a win

The Group H clash is scheduled for Saturday at the Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Taifa Stars will then conclude their qualifiers with a final match against Guinea on November 19 in Dar es Salaam.

Reflecting on their last encounter, which ended in a draw with Ethiopia on September 4, Morocco (pictured) acknowledged the challenging road ahead but expressed optimism about his team’s readiness. 

“We are prepared for the task. While our opponents may have struggled, we must approach the game cautiously to secure a win. This match is critical in clarifying our path to the AFCON in Morocco next year,” he said.

Morocco stressed that only a victory against Ethiopia would keep Tanzania’s qualification hopes alive, as he urged the team to focus solely on their own results and not rely on the outcomes of other matches. 

"With DR Congo already qualified, the pressure is on us and Guinea, who are just above us in the standings. This match against Ethiopia is crucial as it will set the tone for our final home game in Dar es Salaam,” he added.

In Group H standings, DR Congo leads with 12 points, having already secured their qualification, while Guinea sits in second with 6 points. 

Tanzania is in third place with 4 points, and Ethiopia trails with 1 point after each team has played four matches.

Taifa Stars have a history of AFCON appearances, having qualified for the tournament in 1980 (Nigeria), 2019 (Egypt under coach Emmanuel Amunike), and this year, 2024 (Ivory Coast under coach Adel Amrouche), where they competed in Group F alongside Morocco, Zambia, and DR Congo.

The upcoming 35th edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations is set to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. 

With seven teams already qualified, the final two rounds of qualifiers, taking place between November 13-19, will determine the remaining spots in next year’s tournament in Morocco.