AFCON 2023: Chipolopolo of Zambia faces winless Tifa Stars of Tanzania

Posted : 21 January 2024

After being embarrassingly outplayed by Morocco in the tournament, the Taifa Stars will once again seek to redeem their battered ego when they face another struggling team, Chipolopolo of Zambia.

Stade de San Pedro on Sunday afternoon will host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) second round of matches in Group F, a match that will feature former champions Chipolopolo of Zambia against Tanzania.

The Chipolopolo of Zambia have just returned to the AFCON showpiece after six years of missing the tournament, yet they are looking for at least three points to stay afloat in the AFCON.

Facing a fired-up Congo DR is not something the Taifa Stars of Tanzania are looking forward to as they seek their first win at the tournament since their surprising triumph in 2012 when they faced Congo DR.

The match against the Taifa Stars is crucial for the players and the coaching crew of Chipolopolo, considering the pendulum is swinging in favor of the tournament's so-called underdog.

For the coach of the Zambia side, Avram Grant's ingenuity in creating chances, such as helping Kings Kangwa cleverly score from 25 yards, taking advantage of Lionel Mpasi being off his line after attempting to tackle Patson Daka, will be crucial.

The draw between the former African champions came after heavily favored Group F rivals Morocco started their campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over 10-man Tanzania at the same stadium.

While their opening fixture may not have ended in victory, Chipolopolo knows that this is their opportunity to take all three points against an opponent they have not lost to in their last four meetings, winning on two occasions and drawing the other two.

Few had given Tanzania much of a chance in their tournament opener against Morocco, but what was most concerning was how toothless they were in attack across the entire 90 minutes.

The Taifa Stars managed only two touches in Morocco's box on the day, marking their lowest tally in an Africa Cup of Nations match, and it was also the lowest among all teams in the first round of matches.

After slumping to defeat, Tanzania is still in search of their first-ever win in AFCON history, having lost six and drawn one of the seven games they have played in the competition.

Adding to the woes for Tanzania, Adel Amrouche has now been suspended by the Tanzania Football Federation for eight matches after a complaint was submitted by Morocco claiming that the Taifa Stars' boss had made insulting remarks about the Atlas Lions.

As a consequence of Amrouche's suspension, Hemed Morocco has been appointed as Tanzania's acting coach for the remainder of the tournament, and he will be assisted by Juma Mgunda.

Zambia came away from their opening match of the competition with no injury concerns, and considering the solid performances they put on, it would not be surprising to see the same 11 take the field on Sunday.

Grant made only two changes in the first match, bringing on Lameck Banda and Larry Bwalya, and if the former Chelsea boss does opt to make any changes in this one, Silkeborg's Lubambo Musonda will likely be the one to make way, having been withdrawn early in the last match.

In the opposite dugout, Tanzania will not only be without their head coach but will also have to make do without Novatus Miroshi, who was sent off in the final 20 minutes against Morocco on Wednesday.

Morice Abraham will likely replace Miroshi in the three-man midfield alongside Himid Mao Mkami and Mudathiri Yahya, while Simon Msuva will be pushing for a starting role after coming off the bench in the last match.

While Zambia were far from impressive in attack in their first match, their defensive solidity was commendable, and they will likely prioritize keeping a clean sheet in this match against a Tanzania attack that lacks genuine firepower.

AFCON 2023: Chipolopolo of Zambia faces winless Tifa Stars of Tanzania

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