- Tanzania beat Mauritania 1-0 to secure their second consecutive win in the ongoing CHAN 2024 tournament.
- The match was played at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Wednesday, August 6.
- Shomari Kpambo scored the lone goal for Tanzania in the 89th minute.
Shomari Kapombe’s 89th-minute strike secured Tanzania’s second victory in Group B of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) as they edged Mauritania 1-0 on Wednesday evening at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium
Having opened the tournament in with a massive 2-0 win over Burkina Faso, the Taifa Stars carried their momentum into this encounter, claiming three crucial points that propelled them to the summit of Group B while preserving an unblemished defensive record.
Meanwhile, Mauritania’s search for a maiden win continues after their opening stalemate against Madagascar.
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Under the floodlights at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, both teams entered the contest with everything to fight for.
Despite the high stakes, the first half offered limited goal-scoring opportunities, though it featured plenty of physical duels and disciplined defending.
Mauritania threatened in flashes, with Mohamed Zweide and El Mami Tetah probing the Tanzanian backline.
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Their clearest chance came in the 44th minute when Ahmed El Moctar forced a sharp low save from Yakoub Suleiman, following a clever through ball from Moctar El Hacen.
Tanzania created a few half-chances of their own with Iddy Nado and Feisal Salum going close but they struggled to establish rhythm in the attacking third, an issue coach Hemed Suleiman had flagged pre-match.
The intensity ramped up after the interval as both managers made tactical substitutions.
Clear opportunities remained scarce until the final stretch.
In the 80th minute, Tanzania had a nervous moment when Hattab unleashed a powerful effort from distance, but Suleiman dealt with it confidently.
Soon after, Clement Mzize fired narrowly over the bar, as the Taifa Stars began to increase the pressure.
Just when a stalemate seemed inevitable, Tanzania found their moment of brilliance.
Kapombe timed his run to perfection, latching onto a lovely crispy pass from Nado before smashing the ball into the top corner a captain’s finish that ignited wild celebrations in the stands.
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Mauritania pushed forward desperately in stoppage time, but their efforts were in vain.
The closing moments turned frantic, with multiple fouls and yellow cards shown, including bookings for Sidi Touda and goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman.
Despite dominating possession, Coach Artiz Lopez Garai’s side lacked clinical precision in front of goal and now with just one point from two matches, their CHAN future hangs in the balance.
CHAN 2024 group B standings
The victory solidifies Tanzania’s position atop Group B with a perfect six points.
Burkina Faso trail with three points, while Madagascar and Mauritania languish on one point each.
The Central African Republic are yet to open their account but they still have a game in hand.
Mauritania must now defeat Burkina Faso in their final group fixture and rely on favorable results elsewhere to keep their hopes alive.
Tanzania, meanwhile, can afford to rotate their squad ahead of their clash against the Central African Republic, having already secured progression, concluding their group stage against Madagascar.
For Mauritania, nothing short of a victory against Burkina Faso will suffice and even that may not be enough without other results swinging their way.