TANZANIA’s national football team, Taifa Stars, is gearing up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a renewed sense of purpose.

Acting head coach Hemed ‘Morocco’ Suleiman has assured fans that the team is focused on competing at the highest level, not merely participating, as they prepare for the tournament scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco.

Speaking after the group stage draw conducted in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, coach Morocco expressed confidence in the team’s ability to perform against their opponents in Group C, which includes Nigeria, Tunisia, and Uganda. 

Accompanied by his assistant coach, Jamhuri Kihwelo ‘Julio,’ Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President Wallace Karia, Vice-President Athuman Nyamlani, and other officials, Morocco emphasized that no group should be considered easy or impossible.

“For me, there is no easy group, including ours. All groups are difficult,” Morocco said. 

“Tanzania is not a weak team. I have been here in Morocco, and when you introduce yourself as a Tanzanian coach, there is a lot of respect. Even after the draw, you could see our competitors thinking deeply. Tanzania has moved beyond the humiliation of previous years; we deserve respect.”

The coach urged Tanzanians to believe in the team’s capabilities. He highlighted the strides Taifa Stars have made in recent years, shedding their reputation as underdogs.

“Tanzania has come out of the era of weakness. We need to believe in ourselves as a nation that we can achieve great things. In previous years, we participated as escorts, but things are different now. 

“In the last AFCON finals, we managed to secure points in the group stage. This time, our goal is to compete for one of the top two spots in the group to progress further,” he said.

Morocco acknowledged that their group represents a mix of footballing styles, with West African giants Nigeria, North African powerhouse Tunisia, and their East African neighbours Uganda providing a diverse challenge. 

However, he maintained that meticulous preparation and self-belief would be the keys to success.

According to the coach, the technical bench is already laying out strategies to analyze their opponents and ensure the team is fully prepared.

“The group has a mix of teams, and we must organize ourselves accordingly. As coaches, we have the responsibility to study all our opponents in depth. 

“Beyond that, we will hold preparatory meetings with TFF and government leaders. Proper planning and execution are crucial to our success. If we do this on a large scale, nothing is impossible for us,” Morocco explained.

He further stressed the importance of early and thorough preparations to ensure the team can adapt to the demands of the tournament.

Taifa Stars will be participating in the AFCON finals for the fourth time in the nation’s history, having previously appeared in 1980 (Nigeria), 2019 (Egypt), and 2023 (Ivory Coast). 

While their performance has improved over the years, Tanzania is yet to advance past the group stage.

In 2019, the team left the tournament without securing any points. However, in 1980, they managed a single point, and in 2023, they earned two points from the group stage, signalling gradual progress.

This time, the team’s goal is clear: to go beyond the group stage and make a significant mark on the tournament.

Coach Morocco emphasized that achieving success at AFCON 2025 will require the collective effort of all stakeholders, including the players, technical staff, TFF, and the government. 

He called on Tanzanians to rally behind the team and provide the necessary support to ensure adequate preparations.

“Good preparation is key. It’s not just about the coaches and players; it’s about everyone involved. If we all work together, we can make history. Tanzania has the potential to compete at the highest level,” he concluded.

With just under a year to go until the tournament kicks off, all eyes will be on Taifa Stars as they prepare to face some of Africa’s top footballing nations. 

The team’s journey to Morocco promises to be one of determination, resilience, and a quest for glory on the continental stage.