ALL eyes will be on Egypt this evening as Tanzania’s national under-20 football team, the Ngorongoro Heroes, begin their campaign in the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a high-stakes Group A clash against South Africa’s Amajita.

The match, scheduled for 6:00 PM East African Time, will take place at Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, marking the start of Tanzania’s second-ever appearance at the U-20 AFCON finals. 

The tournament, which kicked off on April 27 and runs until May 18, serves as a qualifying event for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, with the top four teams earning automatic berths.

Riding high on momentum from their CECAFA U-20 Championship victory on home soil last year, the Ngorongoro Heroes are entering this continental tournament with renewed ambition. 

Head coach Charles Boniface Mkwasa and his technical bench have spent weeks preparing the squad with a focus on tactical discipline, team cohesion, and mental strength.  The goal is clear - to progress past the group stage and challenge for World Cup qualification.

Ngorongoro Heroes striker Maurice Sichone, who plays his club football in Zambia, expressed confidence ahead of the opener.  “We have a squad that can make a difference,” he said. “Players like Shekhan, Selemani Mwalimu, and Zidane Sereri bring a lot of quality. The coach has prepared us well. Now it’s time to execute on the pitch.”

Sichone added that his familiarity with the Zambian team - whom Tanzania will face later in the group -could provide a strategic edge. “I’ve played against many of their players. They’re good, but I know their weaknesses,” he said.

Group A is considered one of the most competitive, featuring hosts and four-time champions Egypt, debutants Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania. Meanwhile, this is the first time South Africa has qualified for the U20 AFCON finals, adding a layer of intrigue to today’s match. Both sides will be eager to make a strong impression, with the outcome likely to shape the dynamics of Group A.

The hosts, Egypt, are expected to be formidable contenders in the group. Historically, Egypt has won the U20 AFCON title four times 1981, 1991, 2003, and 2013 making them the second-most successful team in the competition after Nigeria.

Nigeria, the record seven-time champions, headline Group B, which includes Tunisia, Kenya, and Morocco each bringing their own strengths and continental pedigree to the tournament.

Defending champions Senegal are placed in Group C alongside the Central African Republic, DR Congo, and Ghana, promising an exciting and competitive set of fixtures in the race for the semi-finals and eventual World Cup qualification.

South Africa comes into today’s fixture seeking redemption after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Egypt in their opening match. That loss will likely make Amajita even more determined, setting the stage for a fiercely contested match.

Coach Mkwasa will rely on a mixture of youthful talent and players with top-flight experience. Defensively, captain Lameck Lawi (Coastal Union) and Wilson Nangu (JKT Tanzania) will be key to marshalling the backline. 

The midfield trio of Abdulkarim Kiswanya (Azam FC), Ahmed Pippino (KMC), and Hijjah Shamte (Kagera Sugar) will look to control the tempo and link defense with attack.

In the final third, Tanzania will count on the firepower of Zambia-based Sichone, Simba SC striker Valentino Mashaka, USA-based Cyprian Kachwele, Azam FC’s Zidane Sereri, and Sabri Kondo of Coastal Union, who was crowned Best Player at the CECAFA U-20 Championship.

Following tonight’s match, Tanzania will face Sierra Leone on May 3 before concluding the group stage against Zambia on May 6. Only the top teams and select best runners-up will advance to the quarter-finals, making each match critical.

This tournament represents more than just competitive glory - it is also a platform for young African talent to shine before scouts and clubs worldwide. For Tanzania, it offers a chance to showcase the strides made in youth football development and to announce the arrival of a promising new generation.

As the Ngorongoro Heroes take the field tonight, fans across Tanzania and the region will be watching with hope and pride, eager to see if this team can write a new chapter in the country’s football history by reaching the knockout stages - and perhaps even the FIFA U-20 World Cup - for the first time.