Gallant Stars sniff quarters

DAR ES SALAAM: SHOMARI Kapombe lit up the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium with a stunning late-minute goal to hand Taifa Stars a dramatic 1-0 victory over Mauritania in their 2024 CHAN Group B clash today.

With just four minutes left on the clock, Kapombe latched onto a pinpoint assist from Iddi Suleiman, controlling the ball expertly on his chest before unleashing a thunderous volley that flew past Mauritanian goalkeeper Abdelrahmane Sarr. The stadium erupted in jubilation.

Mobile phone torches lit up the night sky, drums echoed across the terraces, and fans danced in wild celebration a beautiful outpouring of national pride and unyielding support for the home side.

The result leaves Tanzania comfortably leading Group B, ahead of Burkina Faso on three points. Madagascar and Mauritania each have a point, while the Central African Republic remain bottom without a single point.

However, it was far from an easy ride for Taifa Stars.

Mauritania began the match with high intensity, pressing from midfield and pinning Tanzania deep into their own half. The pressure led to early mistakes, and midfielder Yusuph Kagoma received a yellow card his second of the tournament meaning he will miss the next match after also being booked in the opener against Burkina Faso.

Despite dominating possession, Mauritania failed to translate their control into clear chances. The Tanzanian defence, disciplined and composed, stood tall particularly during set-pieces, where they cleared their lines with conviction.

Tanzania nearly took the lead in the 11th minute through defender Dickson Job, whose powerful effort was expertly parried away by the alert Sarr in goal. That would be the closest either side came in the first half, which ended goalless despite promising build-ups and flashes of attacking intent.

The second half was finely balanced, with both teams trading possession and probing for an opening. In the 77th minute, Clement Mzize attempted an audacious bicycle kick, narrowly missing the target.

But Tanzania refused to relent. Their perseverance paid off in the 86th minute when Kapombe’s moment of brilliance finally broke the deadlock.

Tanzania’s next challenge comes against Madagascar on Saturday followed by a clash with Central African Republic on 16th August.

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Burkina Faso outgun Central African Republic:

Before the Tanzania match against Mauritania, Burkina Faso secured a convincing 4-2 win over the Central African Republic at the same venue.

It was a tightly contested match, particularly in the second half, after the first half ended level at 1-1.

Burkina Faso were first to make an impact through their forward, Papus Ouattara, scored the opener in the 11th minute from a well-executed corner kick by his teammate Chérubin Basse-Zokana.

Central African Republic goalkeeper Saturnin Ngarsouma tried to clear the ball but failed to do so, despite making an attempt to fly for it. Ouattara, well-positioned at the far post, managed to chest the ball into the net.

The Central African Republic responded quickly, equalising just four minutes later. After a foul on Sydney Tchibinda by Burkina Faso fullback Mohamed Guira, just outside the box, Tchibinda took the free kick and fired it past Burkina Faso goalkeeper Ladji Sanou.

The second half proved more dramatic, with Burkina Faso netting three additional goals through Abdoul Guiro, Patrick Malo, and Abdoul Baguian, before the Central African Republic pulled one back prior to the final whistle.

Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda host the tournament with 19 nations competing across four groups.

Tanzania uses two venues: the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

Kenya is hosting matches at both the Nyayo National Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre, while Uganda is staging its fixtures at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.