The Taifa Stars of Tanzania will take to the field this evening in their opening Group J opening match against Morocco at the ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire.
Coach Adel Amrouche will be hoping that his team can make a good start against a tricky opponent when the match takes place at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in Ivory Coast.
Taifa Stars skipper Mbwana Samatta has made it clear during the official press conference on Tuesday that although Morocco is a big team in African and world football, they are ready to fight to get a good result.
“Morocco is a big and difficult team, it is one of the best teams in Africa and the world at the moment, so we respect them but that does not stop us from going to fight them. One thing that brought us here is Tanzania to win this championship,” added the experienced forward who featured for English Premier League side Aston Villa few years ago.
Amrouche also made it clear that his team is in Cote d’Ivoire for serious business. “Yes we are building a team, but we are happy to play against the big teams,” added the Tanzania head coach. He promised that the Taifa Stars will do their best to give a good picture for East African Football.
On his part the Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui asked his team to set aside their past success at the 2022 World Cup and concentrate on the task at hand in the AFCON 2023. “The first match is often important. We are going back to get the three points and ideally start the competition,” stated Walid Regragui.
After the opening match against the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi finalists, Taifa Stars will battle Zambia on January 21st and DR Congo three days later.
In their last appearance at the AFCON in 2019 held in Egypt the Taifa Stars lost 2-0 to Senegal in the opening match, 3-2 to fellow CECAFA side Kenya and 3-0 to eventual champions Algeria.
Tanzania’s Coach has said the team is well prepared to kick start their campaign at the ongoing continental meet.
“The team has prepared well and we are waiting for the last day of preparations to see the final readiness before the match against Morocco. We have taken care of all aspects and the players are ready to go and fight for the Tanzanian flag,” said the coach.
Tanzania who lost 2-0 to Egypt in an international friendly over a week ago will be all out to try and get a good start in the campaign ahead of two other tougher matches against Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In their last appearance at the AFCON in 2019 held in Egypt the Taifa Stars lost 2-0 to Senegal in the opening match, 3-2 to fellow CECAFA side Kenya and 3-0 to eventual champions Algeria.
Tanzania are the sole CECAFA flag carriers in the AFCON 2023.
