Tanzania face Ghana in must-win WAFCON clash
What you need to know:
- A win for Twiga Stars would elevate them to four points and potentially secure a spot in the quarterfinals — either as group runners-up or one of the two best third-placed teams, depending on results from other groups.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national women’s football team, Twiga Stars, today, July 14, 2024 are set for a decisive showdown against Ghana tonight in their final Group C match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), taking place at Berkane Stadium in Morocco.
The match is a must-win for both sides, as they each sit on one point and need a victory to keep hopes alive for progressing to the knockout stage.
In the group’s other fixture, defending champions South Africa will face Mali at Honor Stadium. Both matches kick off at 10:00 PM East Africa Time.
As it stands, South Africa and Mali top Group C with four points each, though South Africa leads the group on goal difference (+2 compared to Mali’s +1).
Twiga Stars and Ghana follow with a point apiece. Tanzania has a goal difference of -1, while Ghana trails with -2.
A win for Twiga Stars would elevate them to four points and potentially secure a spot in the quarterfinals — either as group runners-up or one of the two best third-placed teams, depending on results from other groups.
Currently, Tanzania ranks second among third-placed teams across all groups, with one point and a -1 goal difference.
Senegal leads the third-place table with three points, while Tunisia lags behind with a -3 goal difference, giving Twiga Stars a narrow edge if other results turn in their favor.
Speaking ahead of the match, Twiga Stars head coach Bakari Shime expressed confidence in his squad, despite acknowledging the strength of the Ghanaian side.
“We are fully prepared to face Ghana. The players understand the importance of this match, and we’re optimistic about achieving a positive result,” said Shime.
He added, “This is a crucial match not just for us but for all Tanzanians. We need a win to increase our chances of reaching the knockout stage. We performed well in our last game against South Africa, even though we conceded due to minor errors.
We've worked hard to fix those mistakes and are hopeful for a strong performance tonight.” Shime also urged all Tanzanians to rally behind the team and offer their full moral support as they chase a spot in the WAFCON 2024 quarterfinals.
