Tanzania kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 campaign on a high note, securing a convincing 2-0 victory against Burkina Faso in their opening match held in Dar es Salaam. The game took place at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, where the home crowd provided an enthusiastic atmosphere that spurred the Taifa Stars on.
This win marked a significant milestone for Tanzania, as it was their first victory in an opening match of the CHAN tournament after suffering defeats in both of their previous debuts. The match started with Tanzania showing strong intent, with players Clement Mzize and Feisal Salum both testing Burkina Faso goalkeeper Ladji Sanou in the early minutes.
As the game unfolded, Burkina Faso mounted a brief challenge, with Yakoub Suleiman making key saves to thwart efforts from Souleymane Sangaré and Papus Ouattara during counter-attacks. However, just before halftime, the turning point came when Mzize was fouled in the penalty area by Frank Tologo. Abdul Sopu stepped up and confidently converted the penalty in the third minute of stoppage time, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
In an attempt to shift the momentum, Burkina Faso made three substitutions at halftime, bringing in experienced players Patrick Malo and Yves Koutiama. However, it was Tanzania that maintained the pressure and continued to dominate the play with intensity and purpose.
The second goal for Tanzania came in the 71st minute when Mudathir Yahya delivered a precise cross from the right wing. Mohamed Hussein rose above the defenders to powerfully head the ball into the center of the net, extending Tanzania’s lead and further electrifying the home crowd.
In the closing stages of the match, Burkina Faso pressed forward desperately seeking to get back into the game. However, their efforts were thwarted as shots from Tertius Bagré and Ouattara failed to find the target. Despite their attempts, Tanzania’s defense held firm, ensuring they secured all three points from the opening match.
With this victory, the Taifa Stars have gained an early advantage in their challenging group, which also includes Madagascar, Mauritania, and the Central African Republic. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso faces a critical situation as they seek their first-ever opening-day win in the CHAN tournament, having now lost all four of their tournament debuts.
Tanzania will look to build on this momentum in their next group match, while Burkina Faso must regroup and strategically prepare for their upcoming challenges if they aim to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
