Tanzania, very close to a historic victory at the CAN, finally had to settle for a draw against Zambia, Sunday at the San Pedro stadium, during the 2nd match of group F of the African Cup of Nations. A result which does not suit anyone, except perhaps Morocco, before the last match of the group stage.
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Unconvincing in their first match, the two teams were playing for their survival at the CAN, in particular the modest Tanzania, 121st in the world, the lowest ranked selection in this competition. And who has a new coach, after the suspension of Belgian-Algerian Adel Amrouche, for his controversial comments on the influence of Morocco on African football.
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Against Zambia, it was his assistant Hemed Suleiman Moroko who officiated on the bench at the San Pedro stadium, Sunday January 21, for the second day of group F.
Mulenga launches Taifas stars
Tanzania slightly dominated the start of the match, but neither team managed to get on target. After a first miss, Msuva benefits from a second chance: well served in the area after a ball recovered in midfield, he sends a tense shot into Mulenga’s top corner (1-0, 12th).
The opportunity for him to attract the spotlight, and perhaps to find a club, after JS Kabylie “released” him in December after 6 months, unconvinced by his performances.
Zambia pushes to come back but it is very messy, and despite several attempts, cannot find the target, nor Emanuel Benda, nor Sakala and Daka, who get in the way when the ball falls and let it slip wide (30th).
Tanzania, logically, plays low and tries to keep the ball as much as possible
Festival of mistakes
Zambia pushes more and more before the break, gets fouls and set pieces, but still fails to score. As against Morocco, the Taïfa Stars are increasing their attacks to stop the opposing attempts. An attitude which allowed them to finish at 10 and take a suitcase from Morocco (0-3).
But this time it is Zambia which is experiencing this fate. Late for an aerial duel, captain Kabwé received a yellow card, the second, synonymous with a return to the locker room (45th). There is incomprehension among the Chipolopolos, stunned by this first catastrophic period.
Still not very focused after returning from the locker room, the Zambians almost got surprised from the start by Denis, alone at the far post, whose shot went over (47th).
An alert which puts the Chipolopolos back in the match, which they try to take into account. Musonda, alone at the far post, misses a great opportunity by hitting wide.
The Taifa Stars, for their part, are content to spin the ball, too happy to glimpse their first victory in the African Cup.
Samatta, twice, almost sealed the fate of the match (70th), but as throughout the match, the strikes lacked precision. The pace has clearly fallen, despite a few rare Zambian attempts. Until the final minutes of the match, when Patson Daka, little in sight until then, cuts a corner with an angry header and frees his team (1-1, 89th). A goal that changes everything and offers 7 minutes of intense stoppage time, finally.
Read alsoFind the classification of group F
But unfortunately, the score remains there and Tanzania can harbor regrets. She still hasn’t won at the CAN, and has little chance of seeing the 8th. Zambia can hope for an exploit against Morocco in the last match. Morocco, which benefits from this draw and retains first place in group F.
