AFCON: Suleiman says Tanzania will bank on Young Africans and Simba success

Tanzania national team coach Hemed Suleiman believes the performances of local rivals Young Africans and Simba SC will help Taifa Stars to have a great 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The two clubs have been performing superbly well in the local and Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions. According to Suleiman, with the performances of the clubs, the national team now carries greater intensity and resilience into tournament football.

Taifa Stars will head into the tournament pooled in Group C alongside Nigeria, Tunisia and neighbours Uganda.

Tanzania must be sharp, focused and well balanced

“We have taken lessons from 2019 and 2023 and applied them in training, match planning and selection. Our teams are more competitive and intense. Clubs like Simba, Young Africans and Azam playing regularly at continental level help raise standards,” Suleiman told CAFOnline.com.

“We’ve invested more in sports science, nutrition and recovery, as well as psychological resilience. The aim is that when we arrive in Morocco, we are sharp, focused and well balanced — ready for even a stiff test.”

On his specific targets at AFCON, he said: “We want to aim for at least four points — that often makes one competitive for the knockout phase. Defensive solidity is central: clean sheets will be a benchmark of success.

“Offensively, we want to convert more of our chances. We have worked hard on transitions and set pieces because those margins often decide tight games. Consistency and discipline will be key.”

Nigeria full of attacking creativity

On what he anticipates from their group, he explained: “Nigeria is full of attacking talent and lethal creativity. They punish lapses in concentration. Tunisia is tactically disciplined and difficult to break down, a team that tests your patience. Uganda brings possession-based hunger and fight; their regional rivalry makes that fixture special. We will tailor our approach per game, but without losing our own identity.”

He concluded: “In 2019, we learned the importance of preparation and mental strength — a tournament can overwhelm if you aren’t ready. In 2023, we learned that fine margins, discipline and depth matter.

“We now emphasise consistency, defensive shape and converting chances. Squad depth is non-negotiable for tournament survival. This time, we enter AFCON as a more hardened, better-prepared side.”

Taifa Stars will start their campaign against the Super Eagles at Fez Stadium on December 23.

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