Emmanuel Amunike confident Tanzania can spring a surprise

Emmanuel Amunike, Tanzania head coach and Sebastien Desabre, Uganda head coach

Thursday Apr 18, 2019. 15:00

Emmanuel Amunike, the coach of Tanzania’s national team, has warned that his charge are capable of springing a surprise at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Taifa Stars are returning to the continental finals for the first time since 1980, and have been drawn with Senegal, Algeria and Kenya in Group C.

Amunike, who won the 1994 AFCON as a player with Nigeria, has warned that his team could do some ‘giant-killing’ at the finals in Egypt.

”Don’t be surprised if you see some of these so-called big teams packing their bags early in the tournament,” Amuneke told BBC Sport.

“I personally don't fear any team and I know the so-called small teams are going to the Nations Cup with a lot of appetite to try and prove a point.

"Every team that has qualified for is strong enough and now it's about how much more work the technical teams and players do.

“The small details will count during the tournament, but I like the hunger that my team has. Many people thought Tanzania could not qualify and now we are there and we need to prove yet another point.

”It is good CAF has adopted the 24-team system which gives chance to many other teams. Generally teams have improved because younger boys have changed their attitudes and want to shine to improve their daily lives and families.”

Tanzania will open AFCON campaign with a clash against Senegal in Cairo on June 23.