Tanzania can build on CHAN experience for TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025: Feisal Salum
Tanzania midfielder Feisal Salum believes the team can build on the morale from their performance at the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), as they prepare for their third appearance at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025.
As co-hosts, Tanzania reached the quarter finals of the CHAN tournament in August, losing out to eventual champions Morocco. Salum was one of the standout performers for the Taifa Stars and he hopes they can build on that performance in Morocco.
“Everyone is really motivated after what we did in CHAN. Those were very tough games and almost the same like an AFCON. This will definitely be tougher because we are competing against the best players in Africa from across the world. But, we have built on some incredible belief and fighting spirit from what we did in CHAN,” the midfielder, who plays locally for Azam FC stated.
A majority of players in Tanzania’s squad are locally based, and have retained the same level of cohesiveness and understanding.
The East African side have been shaping up for the tournament in Egypt, where they have played several friendly matches against local sides to boost their readiness.
Salum says the players feel confident and ready, and the Egypt camp has done them good in terms of raising their standard.
Tanzania has been drawn in Group C and will compete against giants Tunisia and Nigeria, as well as East Africa rivals Uganda. They kick off their campaign against Nigeria on December 23 in Fez.
“AFCON is one of the biggest competitions in the world and a stage in which every player wants to shine. It is the same for us; we want to go out there and fight for our country. We have prepared very well and ready for what is ahead of us. We are in a very tough group but it is expected when you are playing at this level. We have to be ready to compete,” added the midfielder.
In the last two occasions, 2019 and 2023, Tanzania have failed to get off the group. In 2019, when they were also pooled with Uganda, they finished bottom with three straight defeats. In Ivory Coast, 2023, the Taifa Stars went slightly better, picking back to back draws and a defeat.
Salum says they have been picking lessons along the way and they are primed to go one step better under new coach Miguel Gamondi, with the round of 16 being their primary target.
“We have learnt a lot especially from Ivory Coast last time out. We need to give 100 percent in every game, there is very little room for mistakes and you must play with the highest standards of discipline. With these lessons, we want to do better and there is confidence in the group that we can achieve our minimum target. We have a very strong playing unit and an experienced coach in Gamondi and we believe these are the right ingredients for us to do well,” Salum added.