Tanzania’s national soccer team head coach Suleiman Hemedi says they can cope without their stars as they prepare to compete for qualification towards the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Tanzania will be without captain Mbwana Samatta and influential forward Simon Msuva for their two opening games against Ethiopia and Guinea.
Msuva has been a free agent since the close of last season while Samatta has had lesser playing time for his club in Greece, hence the decision to overlook them for this international window.
They are good players and have served the country well over the last few years. However, I believe that we have very able replacements. We have young players who have shown the hunger and desire to play and I think we should give them an opportunity to start building confidence to fill those gaps.
The coach said, speaking to Telecomasia.net
Tanzania has qualified for the Cup of Nations only three times and Hemedi, who is holding forte on interim basis, believes they can go for a fourth despite being in a difficult group.
We have two very tough matches against Ethiopia at home and Guinea away and we have to ensure we start well. If we can get four points from these games, it will be a great start.
Suleiman Hemedi
Tanzania also have DR Congo in the same group. The top two qualify for the 2025 AFCON.