THE Tanzania national football team, Taifa Stars, has safely arrived in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying match against Guinea.

The match, scheduled for tomorrow, is the second in Group H, as both teams battle for a place in the prestigious tournament set for two years from now.

Taifa Stars’ acting head coach, Hemed ‘Morocco’ Suleiman, remains optimistic about his team’s chances and believes they are prepared to put on a strong performance. Having drawn 0-0 with Ethiopia in their opening group match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is eager to secure their first win in this campaign. 

Guinea, under pressure following a 1-0 away defeat to DR Congo, is also seeking redemption in tomorrow's match, with both teams needing crucial points to advance.

"We have worked hard to address the issues from our previous game, particularly our finishing, which was the main challenge," said Morocco. “It is a difficult game because we are facing a team that lost their first match, so they will be hungry for a win. 

“However, I believe we are in good shape, and, God willing, we will achieve a positive result against Guinea. All our players are fit and in good health, so we are ready for the battle.”

The acting coach also stressed the importance of respecting their opponents. 

“Football is an open game, and it’s important not to underestimate any opponent. Guinea is a tough team, and we must approach the game with caution and discipline. My experience from previous AFCON campaigns has taught me that anything can happen, so we need to be at our best,” he added.

One of the key players, Novatus Dismas, expressed confidence ahead of the Guinea match, stating that the team feels no extra pressure despite the importance of the game. 

“We are here to fight and give everything we have on the field. We are not feeling any extra pressure; our job is to play our game and make sure we get a good result. The coaching staff has prepared us well, and we believe in ourselves,” he said.

Guinea, currently sitting at the bottom of Group H with zero points, sees this as a must-win game. Playing at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro due to the failure of their home stadiums to meet CAF standards, they will be looking to bounce back from their loss to DR Congo and keep their qualification hopes alive. 

Coach Kaba Diawara’s team, which features European-based stars like Mohamed Bayo, will need to demonstrate more resilience and tactical discipline to secure a positive result.

After the first round of matches, DR Congo leads Group H with three points, while Tanzania and Ethiopia are tied with one point each. Guinea remains without a point. 

In the other Group H fixture, Ethiopia will host DR Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium as they too search for their first win.

Tanzania and Guinea last met in the 2021 African Nations Championship (CHAN), a match that ended in a 2-2 draw. Although that contest featured domestic-based players, the memory of that thrilling encounter could serve as extra motivation for both teams.

Tanzania has participated in three AFCON finals in its history, debuting in 1980, returning in 2019, and qualifying again for the 2023 edition. However, Taifa Stars have yet to advance beyond the group stage in those tournaments. 

Now, with the chance to qualify for back-to-back AFCON finals, Tanzania is eager to change that narrative and make a deeper run in the competition. A positive result against Guinea would bring them one step closer to realizing that dream.