TANZANIA were forced to settle for a goalless draw against the Central African Republic (CAR) at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, but the result was enough to see them finish top of Group B and qualify for the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024.
The Taifa Stars came into the contest already assured
of a place in the last eight after three straight wins, and although they could
not find a way past the resilient debutants, Hamad Suleiman’s men finished with
10 points from four matches.
Madagascar, meanwhile, claimed the second qualifying
spot after beating Burkina Faso 2-1 in the group’s other decisive fixture
played simultaneously, leaving Mauritania narrowly missing out on goal
difference.
A frustrating night for Tanzania
Despite dominating possession and creating the better
chances, Tanzania found themselves denied by both wayward finishing and
inspired defending from CAR.
Feisal Salum, their creative heartbeat, saw multiple
efforts sail narrowly off target, while substitute Iddy Nado missed from a
promising free-kick late in the second half.
Goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman was called into action to
preserve the draw, making crucial saves from Dimitri Kogbeto in the closing
stages as CAR threatened a dramatic winner.
It was the first time in the tournament that Tanzania
failed to score, but the point was enough to cap off a commanding group
campaign that saw them remain unbeaten, with five goals scored and only one
conceded across four matches.
CAR bow out with pride
For Sebastien Ngato’s CAR side, the stalemate
represented a small but symbolic triumph. Having lost their first three
matches, they avoided finishing empty-handed in their maiden CHAN appearance.
Ngato had urged his players before the match to “leave
with dignity,” and his team responded with defensive grit and flashes of
attacking threat.
Though they finish bottom of the group with just one
point, their battling display in Dar es Salaam earned applause from the crowd.
Madagascar edge Mauritania in dramatic finale
The drama of Group B unfolded not only in Tanzania’s
match but also in the simultaneous clash, where Madagascar edged Mauritania 2-1
to secure progression.
Both teams finished level on seven points, but
Madagascar’s superior goal difference (+2 compared to Mauritania’s +1) ensured
their passage.
Burkina Faso, who also harboured outside hopes, were
eliminated after finishing fourth with three points, while CAR’s single point
left them bottom.
Quarter-final picture
With the group concluded, Tanzania march on as group
winners and will now prepare for a potentially favourable quarter-final tie
against one of the runners-up from another pool. Madagascar, on the other hand,
will take confidence from their resilience and attacking spark as they return
to the knockout rounds for the first time.
For Tanzania, coach Hamad Suleiman described topping
the group as “writing history,” pointing to the team’s consistency as proof of
their rising stature in African football.