TANZANIA HOPES OF HISTORIC AFCON VICTORY DASHED BY 10-MAN ZAMBIA

San-Pédro (Ivory Coast) (AFP) – Tanzania had hopes of a first Africa Cup of Nations win after 44 years dashed when 10-man Zambia snatched a late 1-1 Group F draw in San-Pedro on Sunday.

Simon Msuva (L) of Tanzania shields the ball from Lameck Banda of Zambia. © SIA KAMBOU / AFP

 

Simon Msuva scored after 11 minutes for Tanzania, but Zambia overcame the red-carding of captain Roderick Kabwe before half-time to equalise on 88 minutes through Patson Daka.

Earlier on Sunday, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo also drew 1-1, leaving all four teams with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stage.

Morocco have four points, DR Congo and Zambia two each and Tanzania one ahead of the final group matches on Wednesday in the Ivory Coast.

Tanzania were coached by caretaker Hemed Suleiman after Adel Amrouche was suspended by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), then fired by the Tanzanian Football Federation.

CAF banned the Algerian coach for eight matches after he claimed in a TV interview that Moroccan officials were influencing the appointment of match officials and kick-off times.

Both teams showed three changes after disappointing debuts four days ago in a group including shock 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco.

Tanzania collapsed against Morocco in the closing stages when reduced to 10 men by a red card and fell 3-0 while Zambia were fortunate to draw 1-1 with DR Congo.

Since stunning the Ivory Coast in a 2012 final decided by a penalty shootout, Zambia have failed to win in eight Cup of Nations matches, and did not qualify for the past three editions.

AFCON COACH SACKED MID-TOURNAMENT FOR CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS ABOUT RIVAL NATION

He was sacked before a game had been played

Tanzania have confirmed that they have sacked head coach Adel Amrouche in the middle of the Africa Cup of Nations following his comments about rival nation Morocco.

Amrouche’s distasteful comments about the Moroccan Federation came before the two nations were set to play against each other after he claimed that they had more power than other counties and influenced the outcome of games.

He said: “The Morocco federation is a proven power in the world of African football. Morocco manages African football. They also choose their referees and we remain simple spectators.

“For example, during the match between us and Morocco in the World Cup qualifiers in November we asked to play at 2pm, but CAF scheduled the match for the evening.”