Historic moment for Tanzania

RABAT: TANZANIA have written history by advancing to the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and are set to meet hosts Morocco on January 4 at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The Taifa Stars sealed their qualification after a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Tunisia in their final Group C match at the same venue on Thusday.

Nigeria topped Group C with a perfect nine points, while Tunisia finished second with four points.

Tanzania progressed as one of the best third-placed teams, while Uganda exited the tournament at the bottom of the group with just one point.

This year’s AFCON format allows the six group winners and six runners-up to advance automatically, with the remaining four slots filled by the best third-placed teams across all groups.

Tanzania claimed one of those slots after finishing level on points with Angola and Comoros in their respective groups but advancing on superior goal difference.

Results from the remaining groups will not affect Tanzania’s qualification, confirming their place in the last 16.

The Taifa Stars now turn their focus to a tough knockout clash against Morocco as they continue their AFCON campaign. Taifa Stars signalled their intent early.

In the 12th minute, Alphonce Msanga muscled his way through the centre of the pitch and slipped a neat pass into Feisal Salum’s path.

Feisal took aim from outside the box, his left-footed drive skidding towards the bottom corner, but Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was alert and got down quickly to gather. Tunisia struck back almost immediately.

Yan Valery released Ismaël Gharbi on the break and the forward did not hesitate, letting fly from the edge of the area.

The crowd held its breath as the shot beat the keeper, only to crash against the left post and bounce away, denying Tunisia an early breakthrough.

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The deadlock was finally broken in the 35th minute, though not without controversy.

Gharbi earned a free kick on the right after being clipped by Feisal. Hannibal Mejbri swung the ball into the area, where Tanzania initially cleared their lines.

However, Ibrahim Hamad was judged to have fouled Hazem Mastouri in the box. After a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot and produced a yellow card for Hamad.

Up stepped Gharbi facing goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga, the midfielder kept his nerve and drove the penalty low into the bottom right corner, sending the Tunisian bench into celebration. Tunisia went into the break 1–0 up.

Elsewhere in the group, Nigeria also held a narrow advantage, Paul Onuachu’s 28thminute strike giving them the lead against Uganda.

As the second half got under way, Taifa Stars coach Miguel Gamondi made a bold call, withdrawing Mbwana Samatta and introducing Selemani Mwalimu.

The change injected fresh purpose into the Tanzanian side and the response was immediate. Just three minutes after the restart, Taifa Stars were level.

Novatus Dismas surged forward and teed up Feisal Salum on the edge of the area. Salum took a touch and drilled a low right-footed shot from outside the box, the ball skimming across the turf and nestling into the bottom left corner.

Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen stretched full length but could not get a hand to it. The goal lifted the tempo inside the stadium as Taifa Stars pressed on, sensing the shift in momentum.

Meanwhile, neighbours Uganda fell 3–1 to Nigeria, who proved too strong on the night. Paul Onuachu opened the scoring before Raphael Onyedika struck twice to put the result beyond doubt.

Uganda pulled one back through Rogers Mato, but it was only a consolation as Nigeria comfortably secured all three points.