HEMED Suleiman, head coach for Tanzania’s senior national football team, Taifa Stars, says his squad is focusing on seeing to it that it wins all of its matches in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Group B, as the showdown's group stage nears conclusion.

Taifa Stars are set to lock horns with the Central African Republic at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday in what will be the former's last match in Group B. The Tanzania team gallantly booked a place in the last eight of the continental showpiece reserved for home-based players, having emerged victorious in three clashes in Group B to lead the rest of the pack in the group with nine points.

Suleiman (pictured) noted: "It (Winning all matches in the group) is exactly what we are focusing on. We are eager to accomplish two issues, firstly, we want to top the group and, secondly, we look forward to winning all of our fixtures."

"We had planned that from the time we started taking part in the showpiece. We don't want to put a dent in our record... we want to win the games the way we had planned early on," Suleiman added.

The tactician conceded that the CHAN 2024 Group B is quite tough, as opposed to people's opinions, noting that the level of competitiveness in the group's ties substantiates his statement.

"It is a tough group; you can vividly see that all of the matches we have played have had high intensity. We have gained something from playing these three games; it is a tough group, as is the case with the rest of the groups," Suleiman stated.

"The matches we have played were truly tough. I thank the players, they have fought hard and followed instructions; therefore, I think we deserve the points we have secured," the gaffer pointed out. 

Taifa Stars had undergone drills on Tuesday to prepare for the Saturday match against the Central African Republic, who have all but lost out on making it to the last eight, having succumbed to defeat in two outings they have honoured.

Central African Republic, placed last in Group B, will, though, be aiming for a victory over the tournament hosts to, at least, leave the showpiece with their heads held high.

Suleiman, moreover, expressed his appreciation to the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for fully supporting Taifa Stars, adding that the squad is giving its all, and he hopes the authority is observing the efforts.

"We thank the ministry (of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports), which has been with us in our involvement in these games. I hope it will keep on backing us, I thank the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF)... they have collectively done well," the coach said.

He further appreciated soccer followers for turning up in big numbers in all of Taifa Stars' ties and called on them to continue supporting the team, given that such a move motivates the players.

"They are coming in big numbers to cheer us, it is the first time I'm beginning to see they are fully backing us, it is good for us, and I think we will do well in the coming matches," Suleiman said.

Taifa Stars' skipper, Dickson Job, appreciated that the squad's preparations for the coming game have gone smoothly; adding that embarking on good preparations and finishing the match well is the utmost priority.

Job disclosed that Stars' game versus the Central African Republic is a fixture the former needs to win to continue writing history in the showdown and boost confidence heading to the quarterfinal stage.

The center-back revealed: "We are keeping on focusing on the match and having better preparations, every player in the squad is doing well in training to get an opportunity to play in the last group stage match."

Job stressed: "It (Taifa Stars' impressive spell in the CHAN 2024) offers a better perspective because it shows we have had better preparations for the showdown... we appreciate it and want to do well in the national team, each of the players, moreover, wants to write history in his life through playing for the squad."

Group B had yesterday set to have two fixtures played, with the first pitting fourth-placed Madagascar against the group's whipping boys, the Central African Republic, followed by the game between Mauritania, holding the second spot, and Burkina Faso, now sitting third.

Burkina Faso will be back on the pitch on Saturday, confronting Madagascar at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, with Taifa Stars facing the Central African Republic at the same time in Dar es Salaam.