Tanzania Opens CHAN 2024 with Statement Win
Tanzania’s Taifa Stars gave their fans a night worth remembering at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam with a confident 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso. For the first time in their African Nations Championship (CHAN) history, Tanzania started their campaign with a win—breaking a string of opening night misfires that had become a sore spot for local supporters. This wasn’t just a win; it felt like a quiet declaration that the Taifa Stars are no longer content to be bystanders on the continental stage.
Burkina Faso came into the game with high hopes, but the pressure from the home crowd and Tanzania’s sharp play made sure they never found their rhythm. The hosts looked settled early, moving the ball decisively and keeping Burkina Faso on their back foot. The breakthrough arrived in first-half stoppage time when forward Clement Mzize skipped into the box and was brought down by Frank Tologo. It took nerves of steel for Abdul Sopu to step up in front of a sea of Tanzanian flags and coolly slot the penalty home, sending the supporters wild and giving the Taifa Stars a deserved halftime lead.
Burkina Faso Falter as Tanzania Seizes Control
After the break, Burkina Faso responded with changes, throwing in substitutes Patrick Malo and Yves Koutiama to try and spark their attack. They upped their intensity, squeezing Tanzania and almost finding an equalizer during a sustained period of pressure. Keeper Aishi Manula and the Tanzania defense, though, stood strong—snuffing out half-chances and blocking shots, refusing to let Burkina Faso back into the match.
The killer blow came in the 71st minute. Mudathir Yahya swung in a pinpoint cross from the left, and Mohamed Hussein rose highest in the crowd to power a header into the back of the net. It was the kind of goal that makes you believe football is as much about timing and nerve as skill. The home crowd erupted, knowing the points were likely safe and history was being made in Dar es Salaam.
Despite throwing numbers forward in the final stages, all Burkina Faso could muster were a few wayward shots and corners. Their streak of winless opening matches in the CHAN tournament grew longer, while Tanzania celebrated a night of firsts. Now, with Group B rivals Burundi and the Central African Republic still to play, the Taifa Stars have staked an early claim to the top spot—a sign that belief is growing in Tanzanian football circles. The group remains wide open, but Tanzania couldn’t have asked for a better start at home in front of an ecstatic crowd.
- First-ever CHAN opening match win for Tanzania
- Goals from Abdul Sopu (penalty) and Mohamed Hussein
- Burkina Faso continue to struggle in CHAN openers
- Tanzania lead Group B, ahead of Burundi and Central African Republic
With the next matches just around the corner, all eyes will watch if the Taifa Stars can build on this momentum and turn their dream start into something even bigger at CHAN 2024.
Write a comment