Pre-CHAN games lift Stars bid

DAR ES SALAAM: FORMER Taifa Stars icons, Bakari Malima and Dua Said, have applauded the recently concluded PRE-CHAN tournament, describing it as a vital platform in sharpening Tanzania’s squad ahead of the CHAN 2024 finals.

Malima, a respected veteran of the national team, emphasised that the tournament played a pivotal role in translating training-ground lessons into real-match scenarios.

“Ask any Taifa Stars player, they’ll tell you this tournament taught them valuable lessons that will shape our campaign at CHAN 2024 as it is more than just friendly matches; it’s a testing ground for everything we’ve worked on, especially from our training camp in Egypt,” said Malima.

He added that Pre-CHAN provided the coaching staff with a golden opportunity to evaluate both individual and collective performance.

“By rotating the squad, the coaches have been able to identify ideal partnerships to build chemistry and this isn’t just about who starts, but about who complements who. That insight is priceless,” Malima noted.

He expressed full confidence in the squad’s readiness and highlighted the importance of playing high-calibre friendlies against potential CHAN rivals.

“These matches give us a real sense of who’s ready to start when it matters. Plus, compared to the domestic leagues of our group-stage opponents, our own Premier League is stronger. We’re not heading to CHAN 2024 as underdogs.”

He called on fans to rally behind the team and urged a tactical adjustment: Allowing midfielder Feisal Salum more freedom in attack.

“Feisal needs to play closer to goal, where he’s most dangerous. Let’s trust players like Kagoma and Mudathir to handle the transition and let Feisal unlock defences,” he advised.

His fellow Taifa Stars legend and Simba SC great, Dua Said, echoed Malima’s praise for the Pre-CHAN tournament, calling it essential after the Egypt training camp.

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“It’s been instrumental for both players and coaches. These matches help identify gaps and finetune the starting lineup—especially ahead of our first CHAN 2024 match against Burkina Faso,” said Said.

While celebrating the morale-boosting wins against Uganda (1–0) and Senegal (2–1), Said issued a cautionary note.

“Victories are uplifting, but let’s not be lulled into a false sense of security. CHAN will demand even more intensity, discipline and focus,” he said.

Said praised the team’s balance between attack and defence but pointed out critical areas needing attention, especially during set-pieces.

“We’re not maximising corners. Often, there’s only one target in the box. That’s not enough—we need at least three to make our deliveries count,” he observed, citing crosses from Idd Nado and Shomari Kapombe that went wasted in the past games.

aid also urged the goalkeeping unit to minimize errors, noting that even a single mistake can undo a team’s hard work and spirit.

“One lapse can cost us dearly, not just in goals, but in morale. The margin for error at CHAN is razor-thin.”

This will be the first time the tournament is hosted by three countries – Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania under Pamoja.

The tournament will kick off on Saturday August 2 in Dar es Salaam and end on August 30 at Moi International Sports Complex (MISC), Kasarani.