TANZANIA’s senior national football team head coach, Hemed Suleiman, is optimistic that his squad will overcome Morocco in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 quarter-finals.

The highly anticipated match is scheduled for today at Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, with Suleiman expressing confidence in his team's ability to advance to the next round.

Taifa Stars advanced to the knockout stages with an impressive, unbeaten run in the showpiece's Group B, finishing at the top with 10 points.
 
 Tanzania secured victories against Burkina Faso (2-0), Mauritania (1-0), and Madagascar (2-1), with the former's only draw coming against the Central African Republic (0-0).

This strong performance has built significant momentum for the team as they head into the quarterfinals.

Suleiman's charges will face a formidable opponent in Morocco, the two-time defending CHAN champions.

Morocco began their group stage campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over Angola, followed by a 3-1 victory against Zambia.

However, the North African nation's team's momentum was briefly interrupted by a 1-0 defeat to Kenya.

Morocco were tied with the other two-time champions, DR Congo, on six points with one match left in Group A, which meant they needed to win their last match to make it to the knockouts.

The Atlas Lions needed a crucial win in their final group match against the same side to advance, and they delivered with a comprehensive 3-1 victory.

The results showcase Morocco's resilience and determination to defend their title, setting the stage for a thrilling quarter-final matchup.

"We have a great deal of respect for Morocco, but we don't fear them. The Tanzanian people's faith in their team is stronger than ever, and I expect Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to be packed," Suleiman stated.

"Our focus is on our preparation and executing our game plan. Morocco is a formidable team, but, as the saying goes, to be the best, you have to beat the best," he insisted.

He also added: "We have been prepared to face a top team like Morocco from the start. Our group stage was challenging, but we've proven we belong at this level."

"This is a knockout game; we must seize every opportunity. We have been diligently working on our finishing and offensive strategies," the coach stated.

Suleiman concluded: "We are no longer simply here to participate. We have gained significant experience and are now serious competitors. I want our fans to keep believing in us. At this stage, there is no such thing as an easy opponent."

Taifa Stars have demonstrated consistent progression throughout the tournament, highlighting their formidable form.

In four matches, they have scored a total of five goals while only conceding a single goal. 

This impressive performance showcases the team's balance between a potent offense and a disciplined defense.

Their ability to find the back of the net, while maintaining a solid backline, has been a key factor in their success at the CHAN 2024 so far.