Anticipation is running high in Dar es Salaam as co-hosts Tanzania prepare to launch their Group B campaign against Burkina Faso this evening in the 8th edition of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
The host nation’s head coach, Hemed Suleiman Ali, has underscored the importance of starting the tournament on a high note, urging fans to rally behind the Taifa Stars.
“It is always good in a tournament like this to win the opening match because it gives the team good momentum. I call upon all the fans to come in big numbers and support the team,” said Ali during a pre-match press conference.
While acknowledging the competitiveness of Group B, which includes the Central African Republic, Mauritania, and Madagascar, the coach expressed confidence in his team’s preparations. He highlighted their training camp in Egypt and friendly matches against Uganda and Senegal during the CECAFA Pre-CHAN tournament as vital for building match fitness and team chemistry.
Tanzania’s hopes will rest on the midfield pairing of Feisal Salum and Mudathiri Yahya to control the tempo against a physical Burkina Faso side. At the back, the experience of defenders Shomari Kapombe and Mohamed Hussein will be crucial in ensuring stability.
Having failed to progress beyond the group stage in previous CHAN appearances—in 2009 in Côte d’Ivoire and 2020 in Cameroon—Tanzania will be determined to change the script this time around, especially with home support behind them.
The 2024 CHAN tournament, running from August 2 to 30, is being co-hosted for the first time by three East African nations—Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. The CECAFA Zone is represented by four teams: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Sudan.
