Wednesday August 6, 2025
- Benjamin Mkapa stadium, Dar es Salaam 8pm
Following a perfect start in which they beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in the opening match of the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship, Tanzania will hope to stay perfect when they take on Mauritania.
The highly anticipated clash at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium proves another test for the Taifa Stars in front of their own fans as they aim to put a foot in the quarter finals.
For Mauritania, drawing with Madagascar in their first game gives them belief against the co-hosts although their coach Artzi Lopez Garai admits playing a host nation changes a lot of things.
“Tanzania are playing at home and that changes things. But we’re learning and adapting after each game,” he told the press although he remains confident in his players.
“Our players have reached a level where they can compete fairly with Tanzania without fear. We respect our opponents but we’re here to fight.”
His opposite number, Hemed Sulaiman ‘Morocco’ says the team morale is high following a decent start and the target is aim the momentum.
“There’s great morale within the team. Our focus, both mentally and physically, is solid, and we want to maintain this momentum,” said Suleiman.
“We didn’t create many chances in our first match, and that’s something we’re working on. African football is tough — you don’t score four or five goals easily. But we want to increase our attacking threat.”
He is also aware of the threat Mauritania poses on the day describing them as organized and disciplined.
“We know Mauritania are a well-organised and disciplined side. Any team that makes it to this level deserves respect. We’ve studied their game, and it won’t be an easy match.”
In the early match in Group B, Central African Republic (CAR) will make their CHAN debut with a date against wounded Burkina Faso.
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