CHAN: Tanzania escapes disappointment against Mauritania thanks to late strike

Tanzania found a late goal on Wednesday evening in Dar es Salaam to overcome a stubborn Mauritania defense in a 1-0 victory, making it two wins from two games in Group B for the co-hosts at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Mauritania created little but their strong defense frustrated a Tanzanian attack that lacked ideas for most of the match in a subdued atmosphere at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Notably, the stadium was only half full after a packed crowd witnessed the Taifa Stars opening match victory over Burkina Faso.

But the loud supportive environment seen in the opening match turned into whistles and jeers from a bored home crowd who were not shy to express their disappointment. The Taifa Stars created some moments of danger for the opening eighty minutes but saw most of their efforts on goal blocked by a Mauritanian defense led by central defender Nouh Mohamed El Abd, who is set to move to Moroccan giants AS FAR Rabat after the tournament.

Close to halftime, disaster nearly struck for the co-hosts when Taifa Stars midfielder Yusuph Kagoma gave the ball away thirty yards from his goal. Ahmed El Moctar took too long to get his tame effort off and Tanzania escaped, though Kagoma was perhaps fortunate to escape without a red card for a desperate challenge that avoided the attention of the Video Assistant Referee.

However, Tanzania escaped with all three points late on courtesy of one of Taifa Stars team leaders in the 89th minute. Iddy Nado’s early cross from the left wing bounced into the Mauritanian box and Simba SC right back Shomari Kapombe took the ball down brilliantly before smashing in from close range past goalkeeper Abderrahmane Sarr.

The co-hosts return to action on Saturday with a clash against Madagascar while Mauritania will hope to find the goal and their first victory against Central African Republic on the same day.