EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Yanga keeper- ‘Tanzania can fight for CHAN title’

Former Tanzanian footballer, Steve Malashi, has made a bold claim about the East African country’s senior national team’s prospects of winning the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on home soil.

The former Young Africans SC (Yanga) player predicted that the Taifa Stars could go all the way to win the CHAN title if they maintain their momentum from the opening game.

Tanzania started their CHAN tournament with a 2-0 win over fancied Burkina Faso on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Abdul Suileman and Mohamed.

“Honestly, with their last performance by beating Burkina Faso and the way the boys played, if they are going to play the same as they did yesterday, I am sure the boys are going for the final. Who knows? They are going to get the title,” Malashi told Pan-Africa Football.

He also said the Tanzania government led by Madam Presient, Samia Hassan, had motivated the players by awarding them handsomely with cash after the victory over Burkina Faso while also promising them more if they grab the CHAN title.

How Tanzania outsmarted Burkina Faso in CHAN opener

The former Yanga SC goalkeeper then explained how the tactics of the hosts prevailed over the West Africans in the Group B match.

“Tanzania had a lot of players attacking centrally. Wingers, Nado [Idd Husein] and Sopu [Abdul Suleiman] spent most of their time attacking inside and the fullbacks taking the wide areas,” Malashi explained.

“Both number 8 and 10 Faizal Salum and Mudathir found good spaces in between the defensive line of Burkina Faso and sometimes, going behind the backline of Burkina Faso.

“The striker, Clement Mzize, good performance from him. He was a threat the whole game with the ball on his feet, attacking going forward and also making front runs in attacking crosses and creating space for his team-mates.”

The former Civo United custodian also acknowledged the defensive discipline of the Taifa Stars.

He said: “There was a good balance of the team when in possession and good defending by midfielder Kagoma from Simba due to good experience [gained] from the CAF Confederation Cup. He was always in front of his centre-backs to deal with anything that was coming, so the centre- backs were not exposed.”

Tanzania lead the group, two points ahead of second and third-placed Mauritania and Madagascar, who have one point apiece from their goalless draw on Sunday.

Coach Hemed Suleiman’s team’s return to action against Mauritania on Wednesday followed by a meeting with Madagascar on Saturday.