Taifa Stars finish unbeaten to lead group

DAR ES SALAAM: Taifa Stars concluded their 2024 CHAN Group B campaign unbeaten, wrapping up the group stage with a goalless draw against the Central African Republic at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam today.

With 10 points collected, Tanzania finished top of the group, followed by Madagascar with seven points. Both teams secured their places in the quarterfinals after a tightly contested group stage.

Mauritania also finished on seven points but were edged out on goal difference, having scored fewer goals than Madagascar.

It was a cruel blow for Mauritania, who join Burkina Faso (three points) and the Central African Republic (one point) who had already been eliminated prior to their final fixture.

The yesterday encounter was a closely contested encounter between Tanzania and the Central African Republic the former seeking to extend their unbeaten run, while the latter were desperate to conclude their campaign on a high after suffering three successive defeats.

The first half ended goalless, yet it was Tanzania who looked the more threatening in the final third, displaying intent with their high pressing and relentless search for a breakthrough.

Two of the brightest chances fell to Feisal Salum and Ahmed Pipino, both of whom tested their luck from outside the box with thunderous efforts.

This came after a flurry of crosses into the opposition’s area yielded little reward.

Feisal came close in the 39th minute, unleashing a fierce strike towards the far corner, only to be denied by a superb save from Mauril Abimala, the Central African Republic’s goalkeeper, who reacted brilliantly to tip it wide conceding a corner in the process.

From the resulting short corner, Feisal played it quickly to Pipino, who took a touch before rifling a powerful shot towards goal. It whistled just wide of the far post a narrow miss that had the crowd holding its breath.

The second half proved even more challenging for the Central African Republic, as Tanzania pressed them deep into their own half, particularly during their build-up play from the back.

The intense pressure led to several mistakes and a series of fouls, with Tanzania maintaining a high tempo throughout.

Despite their dominance, Tanzania failed to create any clear-cut chances in the second half.

They were awarded multiple free kicks, but none were converted into meaningful opportunities.

The Central African Republic, though often second to the ball, managed to carve out a few chances of their own.

Notably, in the 86th minute, Kogbeto Dimitri came close to score, but his effort was denied by Taifa Stars goalkeeper Yakoub Ali.

Tanzania have enjoyed an impressive run since the start of the campaign, setting the tone with a 2–0 victory over Burkina Faso in their group opener.

They followed this with a hard-fought 1–0 win against Mauritania, before edging past Madagascar 2–1 in a crucial encounter that sealed their place in the quarterfinals.

This achievement marks a historic milestone for Tanzania, as it is the first time the nation has advanced this far in a continental competition.

Madagascar join Tanzania in quarterfinals:

Madagascar secured a 2–1 victory over the Burkina Faso at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar yesterday, booking their place in the quarterfinals of Group B alongside Tanzania.

With the win, Madagascar will now face the winner of Group A in the next stage of the tournament.

Fenohasina Razafimaro opened the scoring for Madagascar in the 9th minute. However, Burkina Faso drew level in the 25th minute through Sangare, sending the sides into the break on equal terms.

Madagascar regained the lead in the 58th minute when Nomena Rafanomezantsoa found the back of the net a goal that ultimately secured their spot in the knockout stages.