Stars’ World Cup dream shuttled
ZANZIBAR: TANZANIA’S hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have effectively come to an end following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Niger in their penultimate Group E qualifier.
The result leaves Taifa Stars unable to progress either as group winners or among the best runners-up across the African qualification groups.
The match, held under high stakes, at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, saw both sides locked in a goalless draw at the end of the first half. Tanzania and Niger contested evenly across all areas of the pitch, with strong defensive displays limiting opportunities.
Crosses were consistently intercepted or comfortably gathered by the goalkeepers and neither side was able to find a breakthrough in open play during the opening 45 minutes.
In a tactical move prompted by a lack of attacking edge, Taifa Stars Head Coach Hemed Suleiman made early substitutions, bringing off Iddi Selemani and Mudathir Yahya for Selemani Mwalimu and Yusuph Kagoma.
However, it was Niger who capitalised. Issa Djibrilla delivered a low cross into the Tanzanian box which bypassed the defence and found an unmarked Daniel Sosah, who converted calmly to give Niger the lead.
Tanzania responded with further changes, removing captain Mbwana Samatta, Feisal Salum and Mohamed Hussein for Simon Msuva, Abdul Suleiman and Yahya Omary in an effort to shift the momentum.
Despite the numerical advantage after Katakore Abdoulaye of Niger received a second yellow card, Taifa Stars were unable to find an equaliser.
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Tanzania had opportunities, notably when Novatus Dismas sent in a well-placed cross that found Clement Mzize, but the effort was stopped by the Niger goalkeeper. Niger also came close to a second through Djibrilla, but Yakoub Suleiman produced a crucial save to keep Tanzania in contention.
The result has significant implications. Morocco, who have already secured 21 points, top Group E and have earned direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. Tanzania, on 10 points with one match remaining, now sit second in the group, followed by Niger (9), Zambia (6) and Congo Brazzaville (1).
Under the new CAF qualification format, only the winners of each of the nine groups qualify directly for the World Cup. Four of the best runners-up across all groups will enter a playoff round, from which one team will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs.
With one game left against Zambia, Tanzania can reach a maximum of 13 points. However, this will not be enough to place them among the top four group runners-up.
As of the latest standings, Gabon (18 points), Madagascar (16), Cameroon and Senegal (15 each), Uganda (15), Burkina Faso (14), Namibia (12) and Benin (11) are all ahead of Tanzania in the runners-up race, many with a game in hand or already completed their fixtures with higher tallies.
This outcome leaves Tanzania outside the competitive bracket for qualification. Even a victory in their final fixture will not bridge the gap to the leading runners-up, effectively ending their pursuit of a first-ever World Cup appearance.
