A tale of pride and promise — Morocco celebrate, Tanzania prepare for tomorrow

The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam was a theatre of emotions on Friday night — 41,000 fans roared, Morocco celebrated a narrow 1-0 victory, while Tanzania walked away with pride but heartbreak.

The TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Pamoja 2024 quarter-final was not only a clash of tactics but also a meeting of humility, respect, and contrasting realities in the press room.

On one side, Morocco’s coach Tariq Sektioui basked in his team’s success, calling for praise for his players.

On the other, Tanzania’s Hamad Suleiman saluted his men despite elimination, insisting that lessons learned will shape the future of the Taifa Stars.

Sektioui: “Our players deserve all the praise”

Morocco’s coach Sektioui opened his post-match reflections with gratitude.

“Thank God we qualified for the semi-finals,” he began.

“The match was not easy. Tanzania is a strong, disciplined side, but my players showed determination and perseverance.

"They executed our plan to perfection, and they deserve praise for their love of the flag and Moroccan football.

For the Atlas Lions’ boss, victory was not about dominance but resilience. “What made the difference was our determination.

"Playing away, in front of a packed stadium, against the host country, is never easy. But our tactical superiority gave us the edge.

Turning pressure into positive energy

A former Moroccan international himself, Sektioui spoke about how his own playing career had shaped his approach to pressure.

“I’ve worn the Moroccan jersey since I was a youth, and I know the responsibility that comes with it,” he said.

“Pressure never goes away, but we work to make it positive, to use it as motivation for victory.”

He revealed the deeper secret to Morocco’s success: “It’s heart, responsibility, and the love we have for our football.

"These players are committed to making Morocco proud. My message to them now is simple: beyond the semi-finals, bring the title back home.”

Suleiman: “We leave with lessons, not regrets”

Across the divide, Tanzania’s coach Hamad Suleiman struck a tone of gratitude and reflection.

“I congratulate my players,” he said.

“They gave everything against Morocco. Of course, the loss hurts, especially at home, but that’s football.”

Suleiman stressed that the Taifa Stars’ journey in CHAN 2024 was not in vain. “We’ve gained valuable experience. We’ve learned lessons that will help us grow stronger.

"Against Morocco, one of the toughest matches we’ve faced, we saw what we still lack — and now we know what to work on.”

Tanzania’s future plans

The coach promised a full review with his technical team. “We will analyze all our matches to identify our weaknesses.

There were positives, but also areas to improve. This tournament has shown us we can compete, but also what is needed to reach the next level.”

Looking ahead, Suleiman remained upbeat about Tanzanian football. “We are building something. This tournament has given us a foundation.

"Now, it’s time to begin our new program, focus on development, and prepare to go further in future competitions.”

 

A tale of two coaches, one respect

In the end, the night was more than Morocco’s victory and Tanzania’s exit.

It was about mutual respect between two coaches — one celebrating his side’s march to the semi-finals, the other appreciating his team’s bravery in defeat.

For Sektioui, the mission is clear: keep pushing until the trophy returns to Rabat.

For Suleiman, the journey continues — with lessons that could, in time, turn heartbreak into history.