It’s tall order for Stars vs Niger

TAIFA Stars face a must-win fixture against Niger in their fifth group F match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam this Sunday.

A win will hand the country’s envoys seven points that will enhance their chance to qualify for the the biggest continental championship at the national level for the third time.

The 1-0 loss to Uganda in their previous home match was a bitter pill. They needed to register a win to pocket maximum points that will make them comfortable on the table, but unfortunately, they lost.

It will be a third game in charge for Taifa Stars Head Coach Adel Amrouch, who has secured one win (1-0) versus Uganda before losing with the same goal margin to the same opponent.

As such, it is another ample opportunity for him to guide the flag bearers to success ahead of their last campaign match against Algeria, to be played in Algiers.

However, Niger have had a rough ride in the ongoing qualifiers as they are yet to stamp a win after four engagements; hence the only way for them to bounce back is to submerge Stars.

They sit at the base of the table with two points accumulated in two draws, and mathematically, if they lose to Stars on Sunday, they will conclude their campaign in the competition.

As it stands in Group F, Algeria, who have already qualified, leads the pile with 12 points after winning all four fixtures. They seem curious to battle for the AFCON glory, whose current champions are Senegal.

Taifa Stars are second on the table courtesy of four points, similar to third-placed Uganda, who also have four points in the bag only to be separated by goal difference.

The Cranes have a red-hot encounter against Algeria as the latter search for a consecutive fifth straight triumph to claim 15 points in five matches.

Niger fills at the bottom place with two points, and they are still sniffing for their first win in the ongoing qualifiers.