By Fred Mulenge
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan 18. – The Taifa Stars of Tanzania kick started their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 campaign on a losing note on Wednesday in Ivory Coast.
Tanzania who were reduced by one player suffered a 3-0 defeat to Morocco in a Group F match played at the Laurent Poku Stadium in San Pedro.
But despite the defeat, the Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has encouraged the team to keep focused and work hard in the other matches to come in the competition.
Suluhu Hassan, an ardent supporter of football spoke to the team on phone before the match on Wednesday, and has told the team not to give up even after losing the opening match.
” A good game tonight, our young Taifa Stars, although luck was not on our side. We continue to wish you all the best and the nation is behind you in your next matches, ” said the Tanzania President on her X platform.
Tanzania will return to action against Zambia on January 21st and complete their group match with DR Congo on January 24th, 2024. While Morocco lead Group F with three points, Zambia and DR Congo who settled for a 1-1 draw in the second match on Wednesday are second, while Tanzania are bottom.
Group F standing
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Morocco 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
DR Congo 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Zambia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Tanzania 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
