Tanzania look for consolation win

by BackPageTXT

Saturday Jun 29, 2019. 13:00

The scalp of Algeria would be a fine consolation for Tanzania when the teams meet in their final Group C match at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday 1 July.

The clash is set for the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, kick-off at 21:00 CAT.

Tanzania’s first AFCON since 1980 has not gone to plan for coach Emmanuel Amunike and his players, as they enter this final group match having already been mathematically eliminated from the tournament.

The Taifa Stars opened their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Senegal and followed that up on Thursday night with a heart-breaking 3-2 loss to East African rivals Kenya. Amunike’s side twice led through Simon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta, but were ultimately out-fought by the Harambee Stars.

Being guaranteed to finish bottom of the group means Tanzania have only pride to fight for, but they could pick up a consolation win against an Algerian team which is likely to field a weakened line-up.

This is because the North Africans impressively defeated Senegal 1-0 on Thursday (thanks to a goal early in the second half through Youcef Belaili) and therefore secured not only a spot in the last 16, but also first place in Group C.

This gives coach Djamel Belmadi the luxury of resting key players such as Riyad Mahrez and Yacine Brahimi (amongst others) to ensure they are fit and fresh for a last 16 clash against a third-placed team from one of Groups A, B or F next Sunday.

In head-to-head stats, Tanzania and Algeria have met in 10 previous matches. The Fennec Foxes have claimed five wins compared to one for the Taifa Stars, while four matches have been drawn. The teams’ most recent meeting was a friendly in Algiers in March last year which the home team won 4-1.