Taifa Stars stun Mauritania, on the brink of CHAN knockout qualification
What you need to know:
- Taifa Stars had to wait until the 89th minute to find the breakthrough. The decisive goal came through experienced right-back Shomari Kapombe, who finished a well-orchestrated move that brought the stadium to life.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national football team, Taifa Stars, are just one step away from qualifying for the knockout stage of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 after securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over Mauritania at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday night, August 6, 2025.
The win, their second in as many matches, sees Taifa Stars maintain a perfect record in Group B — collecting six points from two games without conceding a single goal.
But the result did not come easily, as Mauritania proved to be a tough opponent throughout the match.
Taifa Stars had to wait until the 89th minute to find the breakthrough. The decisive goal came through experienced right-back Shomari Kapombe, who finished a well-orchestrated move that brought the stadium to life.
The buildup to the goal began with midfielder Shekhan Ibrahim, who delivered a clever long pass to winger Idd “Nado” Suleiman.
Nado controlled the ball with composure before sending an accurate long delivery into the path of Kapombe, who made a darting run into the box. Kapombe coolly slotted the ball past the Mauritanian goalkeeper, sparking wild celebrations among fans and players alike.
The late winner ensured Tanzania remained at the top of Group B with six points, ahead of Burkina Faso who sit second with three points after beating Central African Republic 4-2 in an earlier match played at the same venue.
Taifa Stars’ strong defensive display, led by goalkeeper Aishi Manula and a disciplined backline, once again proved crucial. The team has now kept two consecutive clean sheets and looks increasingly confident with each game.
Head coach Hemed “Morocco” Suleiman praised his players for their fighting spirit and patience in breaking down a resilient Mauritanian side.
“This was a very tactical game, and I’m proud of how we stayed organized and took our chance when it came. We’re almost there, but the job is not done yet,” said Morocco during the post-match press conference.
To confirm their place in the quarter-finals, Taifa Stars need just one more win or two draws from their remaining group matches.
They are scheduled to face Madagascar on August 9, 2025, and wrap up their group stage campaign against Central African Republic on August 16. Both matches will kick off at 8pm East African Time at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
With two wins from two and the home crowd behind them, Taifa Stars are now in pole position to qualify from Group B.
The team’s spirited performances have reignited national hopes, and fans across the country are beginning to dream of a deep run in the tournament.
Should they maintain this momentum, Taifa Stars could well emerge as one of the tournament’s dark horses. But for now, all eyes are on their next clash against Madagascar — a match that could seal their ticket to the CHAN 2024 quarter-finals.
