Nsanganzelu confident Serengeti Boys ready for Mozambique test after tough AFCON preparations

Tanzania U-17 national team head coach Elieneza Nsanganzelu says the Serengeti Boys are ready to compete at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U-17) after completing a series of demanding preparatory matches in Morocco.

The coach made the remarks after Tanzania concluded their final international friendly matches ahead of the tournament, including a 3-1 victory over Cameroon and a 2-0 defeat against Ivory Coast in Casablanca.

According to Nsanganzelu, the matches have given the team valuable exposure and helped the players understand the level of competition they should expect at the continental finals.

“The important thing here is the process of preparing for the competition,” said Nsanganzelu. “We are facing teams with a much higher football level. Their speed and the pressure they apply during matches are very intense, and this has helped our players understand the level we will face at AFCON.”

The Serengeti Boys are preparing for their fourth appearance at the U-17 AFCON finals and will open their Group C campaign against Mozambique on May 14 before taking on Angola and Mali in the remaining fixtures.

Despite the mixed results in the warm-up matches, the Tanzania coach believes the team has made significant progress both tactically and mentally.

“When you look at these U-17 teams, every player gives you a challenge on the pitch,” he explained. “There is a big difference in quality and playing style compared to what we are used to in East Africa, but these matches have helped us learn and improve.”

Nsanganzelu highlighted physical strength and match intelligence as two of the biggest areas his players must continue improving if they are to compete successfully against Africa’s top youth teams.

“There are two major things at this level physicality and match intelligence. These friendly matches have taught us important lessons, and we must carry those lessons into the tournament,” he added.

Nsanganzelu Shifts Focus to Mozambique as Serengeti Boys Complete AFCON Preparations.

The coach also stressed that most of the preparation work has already been completed, with the technical bench now focusing entirely on the opening match against Mozambique.

“The big work is done. Now our focus is on the first game because every opponent is different and requires a different approach,” he said.

Nsanganzelu also called on Tanzanians to continue supporting the team as they aim to represent the country proudly on the continental stage.

“Our people have shown great support to the national team, and we ask them to continue standing with these young players so that together we can make Tanzania proud in Africa,” he said.

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