Gamondi: No relaxation
DAR ES SALAAM: TAIFA Stars Head Coach Miguel Gamondi has urged his players to continue working hard and avoid complacency as Tanzania prepares for a historic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 clash against Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat tomorrow.
During the team’s training session ahead of the match, Gamondi lauded the players for strong performances so far, but cautioned against complacency, stressing that consistency and hard work must continue to guide the team.
“We must continue working very hard and not relax. We can be happy with the performance, but we should not relax. The most important thing is to continue with the consistency we have achieved,” Gamondi said yesterday.
He revealed that he met with the players earlier in the day and congratulated them for their efforts, on their AFCON campaign and their performance in the two friendly matches played in Egypt prior to the tournament. He described Tanzania’s AFCON campaign as a major improvement in terms of performance and competitiveness. “This Africa Cup of Nations was very good for us.
The level has improved a lot, and we need to continue working. This is a huge game in the history of Tanzania,” he said.
The Round of 16 appearance marks a historic milestone for Tanzania, as it is the first time Taifa Stars have advanced beyond the group stage after four AFCON appearances, with three previous campaigns ending at the group stage.
The upcoming match carries added significance as Tanzania will be playing in front of an expected crowd of over 60,000 Moroccan fans. Gamondi acknowledged the pressure but emphasised the importance of belief, discipline and seriousness.
“We will play against the hosting team in front of over 60,000 people, so they will push their team. But we need to believe, work hard and take this game seriously like we have done until now,” he said.
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Having lived in Tanzania for several years, Gamondi said he understands the pressure placed on the national team by fans and the public, noting that impatience can sometimes be a challenge.
The coach also spoke about the importance of handling pressure during matches, including decisions by referees, while maintaining focus on the beauty of the game.
“I know the pressure they put. Sometimes the pressure is a problem because everyone is in a hurry. We need to handle the pressure and the referee as well, but in any case, football is a beautiful game,” he said.
Gamondi reiterated his longterm vision of raising the standard of Tanzanian football, stating that while there is still room for improvement, the nation is clearly on an upward trajectory.
“Tanzania is a big nation, but in football there is still a lot of improvement needed. Compared to a few years ago, we are growing. This is a confirmation that as a football nation we are developing and earning respect in Africa,” he said.
Gamondi added that Tanzania’s performances have attracted attention beyond the continent, noting that the AFCON tournament is being watched in Europe and South America. Gamondi expressed pride in the team’s achievements, calling on Tanzanians to celebrate the historic moment.
“I received very nice comments about our team. We surprised a lot of people with the way we played against strong teams like Nigeria and Tunisia. It is not easy, and the image of Tanzania is now very high,” Gamondi said.
He urged Tanzanians to remain proud of the team, as for him; he is very happy and proud to be part of the project. Taifa Stars earned a place in the knockout stage after finishing third in Group C, behind group winners Nigeria and runners-up Tunisia.
In the expanded tournament format featuring six groups, only 12 teams qualified automatically for the Round of 16, while four additional slots were reserved for the best third-placed teams.
Out of the six third-placed teams, only four progressed to the knockout stage, and Tanzania was among them, alongside Benin, Sudan and Mozambique.
