Tanzania Makes History with AFCON 2025 Qualification as Niger Struggles in Campaign

Historic Qualification for Tanzania

Tanzania secured their qualification for AFCON 2025 through a crucial 1-0 victory against Guinea on November 19, 2024, with Simon Msuva scoring the decisive goal. This marks Tanzania’s fourth AFCON qualification since 1980, representing a significant achievement for the national team.

Tournament Context and Host Nation

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) will be the 35th edition of the biennial tournament, hosted by Morocco for the first time since 1988. The tournament is scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with an unusual timing due to FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup and UEFA Champions League scheduling conflicts.

Team Standings and Qualification

Tanzania joins an impressive list of qualified nations including hosts Morocco, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Algeria, Angola, Congo DR, Cameroon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and others. Niger, unfortunately, has been eliminated from the competition. The qualification process was structured so that the top two finishers in eleven groups (excluding the group containing host Morocco) would secure their spots in the final tournament.

Looking Ahead

The Tanzania national team, known as the Taifa Stars, is under the leadership of head coach Hemed Morocco and plays their home games at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. They will face tough competition in the tournament, where Ivory Coast enters as the defending champions after their victory over Nigeria in February 2024.