Tanzania vow to give their all against DR Congo

• Tanzania have one point from two matches
• They have to win to progress to the next round
• Morocco face Zambia in the other group match

Tanzania’s national team the Taifa Stars have vowed to give their all and challenge for a first ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations when they take on DR Congo in their final Group F match in Korhogo.

The Tanzanians travelled from the Coastal city of San Pedro, but interim coach Suleiman Hemed says it has not affected them a bit.

Tanzania almost grabbed a historic win in their second match against Zambia, but they conceded an 89th minute equalizer to draw 1-1.

Against Congo, a win will be all they need to book a historic place in the last 16.

“It’s a final for us,” the tactician said ahead of the game. He adds; “We tried to work on our problems and improve them. These games are hard but there is solidarity in the group. Ours for now is to focus on the game and give our best. Of course there is disappointment from the Zambia game but we have to forget about the previous games and focus on this new task.”

Skipper Mbwana Samatta who expects to lead his team to victory says they know the task at hand is huge, but reckons the belief and self-drive from the players can push them to victory.

“All the teams are difficult. Looking at the levels of both teams, we can never look down on DRC and think it will be easier than Morocco or Zambia. It is not an advantage playing against them in the last fixture. They will not be easily beaten, if anything, they will be even harder to beat,” Samatta said.

Tanzania to give us hard time – Desabre

DR Congo head coach Sebastian Desabre. PHOTO/CAF

Meanwhile, DR Congo will be hunting for qualification when they take on Tanzania. Les Leopards are on two points from back to back draws and victory will assure them in the least of a second spot finish.

They can top the group if Morocco fail to win their last game against Zambia.

Congolese head coach Sebastian Desabre believes his side is well oiled to win especially picking positives from their performance in the 1-1 draw against Morocco.

“We intend to give our best. We need the victory, and we also want to qualify because that is very important.  We do not want to find ourselves in a situation of making calculations. We want to win and gain automatic qualification because anything less than that puts our fate outside of our hands,” the tactician said.

Brentford forward Yoan Wissa echoes the tactician’s sentiments, saying the players know how important three points will be for them.

“Our aim is to have a good match. We didn’t get a result in the last two matches. We made some mistakes and high-level matches such as these are about the finer details. We have character and we will fix our mistakes. This AFCON has had many surprises, and it is proof that if you want to win, you need to work hard for it,” Wissa said.

Zambia not afraid of giants Morocco

Zambia head coach Avram Grant. PHOTO/FAZ

Elsewhere, Zambia’s head coach Avram Grant says the team is not afraid of taking on giants Morocco in the other group match to be played concurrently.

Morocco are seen as one of the title favourites having done well at the last World Cup in Qatar, going all the way to the semis.

But, Zambia’s grant says his team is focused on what they can achieve as a team and ot necessarily the strength of the Moroccans.

“This is an important game for us. Morocco qualified already so they don’t have anything to lose. We need these points for us to qualify. We shall give our best on the pitch. Morocco has a fantastic team. I have watched almost all their games. They are the best team in Africa, no doubt about that. They have a good coach and play fantastic football,” the Israeli trainer states.

He adds; “But in my coaching career, I have never given up on anything, so we will fight for points.”

Zambia are hoping for a better performance than their last duel against Tanzania where they had to rely on an 89th minute equalizer to get a point. They have drawn both their matches, and are all out for victory to put their campaign on track.

Skipper Lubambo Musonda says the players will step up to the challenge.

“Everyone in the team knows what is at stake. We are prepared for what’s coming ahead of us. We know what not to do on the pitch and what we are supposed to do,” he noted.