Tanzania’s national soccer team,Taifa Stars began their 2024 Africa Nations Championship in an emphatic fashion after defeating Burkinafaso 2-0 in their group A opener played Saturday at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium,Dar E Salam.
Bouyed by an ecstatic home crowd Tanzania began brightly and created numerous chances in the opening minutes.
Centre Forward Clement Mzize first tested Burkinaso’s goalkeeper with a rasping shot that was parried by Lahdhi Sanou in the 10th minute.Shortly after Mzize missed a pinpoint cross from Feisal ‘Fei Toto’ Salum.
Burkinafaso,quiet in the opening minutes,created thei clear chance but Kalifa Nikiema’s effort was easily contained by Tanzanian Goalkeeper Yakoub Ali.
Taifa Stars nearly snatched the lead as the first half wore on but effort by midfielder Iddi Nado went begging.
Taifa Stars finally broke the deadlock at the stroke of half time through a penalty Burkinafaso’s Frank Tologo brough down Clement Mzize.
Abdul Suleiman stepped up to strike home the resultant penalty to hand Tanzania a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Burkinafaso’s returned a rejuvenated side but Tanzania appeared to continue from where they had left it at in the first half and intensfied their attack as Mzize’brilliant shot was tipped over the bar by Sanou.
Burkinafaso’s Kalima Nikiema ,caused trouble for Tanzanian defenders on the left wing but his foray into Taifa Stars danger area amounted to none.
Tanzania doubled their lead with 15 minutes to play after Iddi Nado beat an offside trap to lob the ball past an onrushing Burkinafaso goalkeeper Sanou.Initially Algerian referee Lofti Bekoussa had ruled the goal offside but after a brief check he allowed the goal.
Tanzania a better side for the much period of the game held on for a desrved opening win as Burkinafaso were left reeling from their under par perfomance witgh the head coach Issa Balbone b;laming it on fatigue.
Tanzania will be out to continue with the perfect start when they face Mauritania on Wednesday,6th August while Burkinafaso will be seeking to bounce back from the defeat when they face debutants Central Africa Republic the same day.
