THE national futsal team departed yesterday for Ivory Coast ahead of their decisive CAF Futsal AFCON 2026 qualifying return leg scheduled for Sunday.

Speaking at the team’s departure, Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) acting secretary general Oscar Mirambo urged the players to work hard and avoid complacency despite their strong first-leg advantage.

Mirambo warned that Ivory Coast remain dangerous opponents, especially when playing at home.

“You performed well in the first match, but that does not mean the job is finished,” Mirambo said. “You must go there and fight for the nation. We want positive results because our aim is to see the team qualify for this year’s Futsal Africa Championship.”

He added that overturning results is common in futsal, where momentum can shift quickly, making discipline and focus essential throughout the match.

Team captain Awadh Juma echoed the confidence within the camp, saying the squad is fully prepared for the challenge in Abidjan.

“We are well prepared for the game. I know it will not be easy, but we are ready,” Juma said. “I promise the nation that we will do our best and represent Tanzania with pride in Ivory Coast.”

In the first leg played at the Amaan Indoor Stadium in Zanzibar, the Curtis Reid-coached side secured a commanding 7–3 victory. 

Gidion Paul and Sharif Wilson each scored twice, while Bashiri Kibaila, Razack Juma and Adolfu Hamisi added one goal apiece to give Tanzania a healthy cushion going into the return fixture.

The emphatic win placed Tanzania in a strong position, but the technical bench has insisted that concentration and game management will be crucial away from home, where Ivory Coast are expected to play with high tempo and intensity.

This year’s Futsal Africa Championship will be staged in Morocco from April 11 to 21.

The Morocco tournament will mark the first edition to be held on a biennial basis, after previously being organised every four years.

Futsal is a fast-paced, five-a-side variant of association football played indoors on a smaller, hard court, typically the size of a basketball court, demanding quick decision-making, technical skill and tactical discipline.

With qualification within reach, Tanzania’s futsal ambassadors now head to Ivory Coast carrying both advantage and responsibility as they seek to convert their first-leg dominance into a historic ticket to the continental finals.