DAR ES SALAAM: SHEKHAN Ibrahim Khamis’s lone goal gave Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Heroes a win over Sudan on Thursday at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam.
The win has placed Tanzania atop of the CECAFA U-20 qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations Group A. The crucial win boosts Tanzania’s hopes of progressing further in the tournament, bringing their points tally to six, with a decisive match against Rwanda looming ahead.
As it stands, Sudan sit in second place with six points, closely trailing Tanzania, who lead on goal difference. Kenya follow in third with four points, while Rwanda managed to secure one point. Djibouti currently occupy the bottom of the table without any point. Khamis’ lone goal was pivotal for the national team, especially after a first half that ended in a goalless draw.
The breakthrough came from a wellexecuted set piece by Nickson Mosha, perfectly setting up Khamis to finally break the deadlock. Generally, in the second half Tanzania showcased a much more dominant performance, adjusting their tactics effectively.
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While Sudan’s solid defence had thwarted numerous attacks in the first half, Tanzania adopted a more aggressive ‘shoot-shoot’ strategy that ultimately paid off, allowing them to seize control of the match.
The victory comes on the heels of a disappointing 2-1 loss to Kenya’s Rising Stars in their opener, followed by an impressive 7-0 thrashing of Djibouti. Now, with a critical clash against Rwanda on the horizon, Ngorongoro Heroes are eager to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
According to the tournament regulations, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the finalists earning the right to represent CECAFA at the AFCON finals.
Tanzania last qualified for the Under-20 AFCON in 2021, where they faced a tough group featuring Morocco, Gambia and Ghana, finishing bottom with just one point.
As Ngorongoro Heroes prepare for their final group match, fans are hopeful for a strong performance that could lead to a historic return to the AFCON stage. The road ahead is challenging, but the determination shown thus far indicates that Tanzania’s young talents are ready to rise to the occasion.
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