CHAN: Taifa Stars command Group B, on the brink of quarter-finals
By Joel Masibo, August 7, 2025TotalEnergies African Nations Championship 2024 co-hosts Tanzania are flying high in the ongoing competition, having secured maximum points in two outings to take full control of Group B.
Taifa Stars’ perfect start at the tournament is courtesy of three goals without conceding in matches against Burkina Faso and Mauritania. The East African side inched closer to securing a place in the quarter-finals of the competition on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the packed Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium following a dramatic 1-0 triumph over the latter side.
Veteran defender Shomari Kapombe found the winner for the home side in the 89th minute. He latched onto a precise pass from Iddy Nado and calmly fired past Mauritania goalkeeper Abderrahmane Sarr to the joy of home supporters.
Tanzania are now in command of Group B with six points while maintaining their perfect defensive record. Meanwhile, Mauritania remain without a win and now face elimination unless results in their final group game swing in their favour.
Coming off a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso, the Taifa Stars entered the match with momentum. Mauritania, which had held Madagascar to a draw in their opener, sought to improve their standing. The opening half, however, lacked goalmouth action despite flashes of attacking intent.
Mauritania’s brightest moment came just before halftime when Ahmed El Moctar’s low shot was denied by Tanzanian goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman. On the other side, Iddy Nado and Feisal Salum had half-chances but failed to break the deadlock, reflecting coach Hemed Suleiman’s pre-match concerns about their attacking sharpness.
Both teams made changes after the interval in search of a breakthrough. Tanzania introduced Ahmed Pipino and Nassor Saadun to add energy, while Mauritania brought on Cheikh Hattab and Sidi Touda.
The match intensified in the final stages. Hattab tested Suleiman with a long-range shot in the 80th minute before Clement Mzize came close for Tanzania moments later. With the game seemingly heading for a stalemate, Kapombe’s late strike turned the tide.
The experienced defender made a perfectly timed run and buried the ball with composure, a moment of brilliance that capped a gritty performance from the hosts.
Mauritania pushed forward in stoppage time, desperately seeking an equaliser. But their efforts came to nothing amid a scrappy closing phase filled with fouls and bookings, including cautions for Touda and Suleiman.
Despite controlling possession for large spells, Coach Aritz López Garai’s side struggled to find the cutting edge needed to convert chances.
Group B outlook: Tanzania in control
With two wins and no goals conceded, Tanzania lead Group B with six points. Burkina Faso trails with three, while Madagascar and Mauritania both sit on one point. The Central African Republic remain pointless but still has a match in hand.
Tanzania’s qualification looks almost certain, and they are expected to rest key players in their final group game against Madagascar. Mauritania, on the other hand, face a must-win scenario against Burkina Faso and needs help from other results to have any chance of progressing.