Tanzania head coach Hemed Suleiman expressed optimism about the progress of Tanzanian football following their goalless draw against South Africa on Friday.
With the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 approaching, Suleiman emphasized the strides made in the Tanzanian league and the impact of foreign players in elevating local talent.
Speaking after the match, Suleiman acknowledged the growing competitiveness of Tanzanian football, crediting the influx of international players for raising the standard of the domestic league.
"I think Tanzania football, they're improving at the moment. I think we have a good league, many players from outside, and it's a big challenge for the players. So for me, when I see the league there, they can improve, even if there's a lot of pressure."
While comparing the footballing landscapes of Tanzania and South Africa, Suleiman recognized the quality of South African players but noted that Tanzania has made significant strides.
"You say, compare about players between Tanzania and South Africa. I think South Africa, they have good players. Even Tanzania now, they improve. After many foreigners come to join in the league. So local players, they improve a lot, like you see. So that's different quality."
Suleiman also highlighted the stylistic differences between the two nations, pointing out that South African players tend to focus on technical ability, while Tanzanian football leans towards a more physical approach.
"The players of South Africa, they enjoy to play football. They manage to play football, physically it is big. But Tanzania, they play physical football. That's a big difference."
With the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco on the horizon, Suleiman remains confident that Tanzania’s continued development will allow them to compete effectively on the continental stage.
