Taifa Stars on brink of CHAN quarter-finals

TANZANIA: TANZANIA’S Taifa Stars have begun their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign with impressive precision, securing victories in their opening two Group B fixtures against Burkina Faso and Mauritania.

The six points they have garnered not only place them in a commanding position at the top of the table, but also leave the door wide open for progression into the quarter-finals, a feat that now lies firmly within their grasp. With two games remaining against Madagascar and the Central African Republic (CAR), both yet to record a win, the equation for Tanzania is straight-forward.

A draw in either of their final matches would see them advance, while a victory even in one game could assure them top spot in the group.

Burkina Faso trail with three points, while Mauritania and Madagascar are on one apiece. CAR, rooted at the bottom with no points, seem already out of contention. Simply put, the Taifa Stars control their own destiny.

But while results have been positive, the performances present a more complex narrative. Head coach Hemed Suleiman, speaking ahead of the tournament and after friendly wins against Uganda (1-0) and Senegal (2-1), had raised concerns about his side’s efficiency in front of goal.

His words, as it turns out, were not without merit.

In the tournament opener against Burkina Faso, Tanzania registered 19 shots, eight of which were on target. However, they converted just two goals, one of which came from the penalty spot.

A similar pattern followed in their second match versus Mauritania, where they managed 11 shots, but only two found the target with just one resulting in a goal. Such figures expose a familiar flaw: The inability to consistently finish the chances they create.

Coach Hemed has remained optimistic, noting in post-match remarks that he observes encouraging improvements during training. Yet the numbers indicate there is still significant work to be done.

With a conversion rate that hovers around 10 per cent from open play, Tanzania’s attack remains industrious but not ruthless, a trait that could prove costly in the knockout rounds where margins are finer.

What Tanzania have lacked in clinical finishing, however, they have made up for in collective endeavour.

Their three goals thus far have come not from out-and-out strikers or creative midfielders, but from defenders, a testament to their tactical flexibility and spirit of shared responsibility.

Fullbacks Mohamed Hussein and Shomari Kapombe have both found the net, offering a reminder that goals can and must come from all areas of the pitch. Key to that attacking dynamic has been Iddi Seleman. The midfielder has provided an assist in each of Tanzania’s group matches, underlining his influence in linking play and creating openings.

His intelligent movement and eye for a pass have added a layer of fluidity to the Taifa Stars’ build-up, even if his teammates have yet to fully capitalise on his deliveries.

Defensively, Tanzania have been largely composed, though not without moments of concern. Against Mauritania, the side struggled in the opening 20 minutes, pinned back by relentless pressing and midfield dominance.

During this period, their shape looked vulnerable and the composure that had defined the opening win seemed to waver.

The early pressure resulted in a booking for midfielder Yusuph Kagoma his second of the tournament which means he will be suspended for the next match. His absence could be felt, particularly as his energy and work rate have been central to Tanzania’s midfield balance.

Fortunately for the Taifa Stars, Mauritania’s control of possession failed to translate into meaningful chances. Tanzania’s backline, well-organised and committed, held firm especially during set-piece situations, where clearances were executed with purpose and composure. This kind of defensive discipline will be vital in the latter stages of the competition, where games often hinge on single moments.

Looking ahead, the encounter with Madagascar may prove to be the more challenging of their remaining two fixtures. Though they’ve only managed a single point so far, the island nation has demonstrated flashes of resilience and will likely approach the match with urgency, knowing that a win could resurrect their slim hopes of progression. For Tanzania, the focus will be on maintaining tactical discipline while improving their attacking execution.

The final group stage match against the Central African Republic, on current form, seems the more manageable. CAR have struggled in both attack and defence and unless they engineer a dramatic turnaround, they may enter the final round already eliminated.

This presents an opportunity for Tanzania not only to qualify, but to do so emphatically — and perhaps iron out the attacking inefficiencies that have plagued them thus far.

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Should Tanzania manage at least one draw from their final two fixtures a likely scenario given their current form and group dynamics they would seal their place in the quarter-finals.

A further win could ensure they top the group, potentially giving them a more favourable draw in the knockout stages. With Burkina Faso breathing down their necks on three points, the margins remain slim, but the cushion is real. One foot is already in the next round.