Taifa Stars boost 2025 Afcon hopes

Tanzania moved up to second place in Group H of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after they beat Ethiopia 2-0 at the Stade des Martyrs on Saturday, November 16.

First-half goals from Simon Msuva and Feisal Salum saw Hemed Morocco's side bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to group leaders DR Congo last month to claim their second win of the qualifying campaign.

The Taifa Stars were looking to keep their qualification hopes alive after picking four points from their opening four matches, which left them two behind second-placed Guinea, with The Walia Ibex a further three adrift in the rear following three straight defeats.

The visitors showed their intentions early on as Msuva should have done better with a header that he steered over the crossbar from close range on six minutes before the striker again failed to hit the target two minutes later after he blocked Said Habtamu's clearance.

Abdulkarim Worku then threatened at the other end with a shot that crept inches wide of the right post on 10 minutes, but Tanzania would be rewarded for their early pressure soon afterwards when Msuva headed home from a corner on the quarter-hour mark.

They went in search of more goals and after Salum forced Habtamu into a save with a strike from inside the box on the half-hour mark, he managed to beat the goalkeeper at the third attempt moments later, having seen his initial header saved before scoring on the rebound.

The Taifa Stars were in total control as the referee blew for halftime and they went close again on 62 minutes as Habtamu had to be alert to keep out Mbwana Samatta's effort at his near post.

Tempers in this East African derby came close to boiling over as the second half progressed due to numerous fouls and players on both sides were involved in a shoving match at one stage.

Worku almost pulled one back 10 minutes time with a shot that flew narrowly past the right post and Ramkel James was just unable to keep his header down two minutes later.

Ethiopia (0) 0

Tanzania (2) 2 (Msuva 15', Salum 31')

Ethiopia: S. Habtamu, B. Bekele, F. Kassa (A. Terfa 88'), Y. Bayeh, D. Mamo (Y. Kassaye 46'), B. Desta, A. Demissie (B. Waza 63'), A. Yohannes, C. Gugsa (R. James 63'), A. Worku, A. Erbo (A. Beyene 46').

Tanzania: A. Manula, S. Kapombe, D. Job, I. Hamad, M. Hussein, M. Yahya (I. Ame 85'), N. Miroshi (A. Bitegeko 66'), S. Msuva, F. Salum, C. Mzize (K. Denis 66'), M. Samatta (N. Haomud 85').