The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) is facing a serious uphill task to overcome over a growing controversy surrounding the inclusion of a player in their squad which could jeopardize their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification status.
This follows allegations from Guinea that a Tanzanian player, introduced in the 73rd minute of a crucial match, was not properly listed in the official squad, potentially threatening Tanzania’s qualification for the tournament.
The controversy erupted after Tanzania sealed a 1-0 victory over Guinea in a critical Group H match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The match was pivotal for Tanzania, who needed a win to qualify for their second consecutive AFCON appearance, following their participation in the 2022 edition hosted in Ivory Coast.
In the post-match celebrations, which saw Tanzania advance as one of the top teams in their group, Guinea’s officials raised an issue regarding the inclusion of a player wearing the number 26 jersey. Guinea claimed that the player, who came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute, was not listed in the official CAF squad submission.
Additionally, the player’s jersey lacked a visible name, complicating efforts to verify his identity.
The Guinean Football Federation (GFF) referred to Article 50 of CAF’s regulations, which states that all players must be properly registered with matching jersey numbers and visible identification. The GFF argues that any deviation from these rules could threaten the integrity of the competition, alleging that it could allow suspended or unqualified players to participate.
But responding to the claims, the TFF issued a statement saying; “We would like to inform the public that the player in question, Ame, was part of the 23-man squad for the match against Guinea. Before the match, all Taifa Stars players were inspected by the opponents and match commissioners, and they were allowed to play without issue.”
Tanzania confirmed that the TFF had not received any official communication from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) suggesting that Ame’s inclusion in the match was illegal. “Don’t let these reports stop you from celebrating Taifa Stars’ victory,” the federation added, encouraging fans to continue celebrating the team’s achievement.
Tanzania’s victory over Guinea was a dramatic one. The Taifa Stars, backed by thousands of passionate home fans, had to defend against a Guinea side that had recently shocked Group H leaders DR Congo.
Despite a tense goalless first half, Tanzania broke the deadlock in the 61st minute when Simon Nsuva scored with a well-timed header.
Guinea, desperate to equalize, mounted a series of attacks, but Tanzania’s defence stood firm, securing the win. The victory sent the stadium into rapturous celebration, with Tanzanians taking to the streets to celebrate their team’s qualification for the 2025 AFCON.
The win secured Tanzania’s place in the upcoming tournament as the second-best team in the group, with 10 points just behind DR Congo.
Despite the celebrations, the controversy over the alleged irregularity in squad registration could jeopardize Tanzania’s qualification. The Guinean Football Federation has called for CAF to declare the match void, awarding the victory to Guinea and advancing them to the 2025 tournament at Tanzania’s expense.
CAF has yet to issue a statement on the matter, and the outcome of Guinea’s complaint remains uncertain but the situation is further complicated by the fact that no formal confirmation has been made regarding Tanzania’s qualification for the 2025 AFCON, with CAF’s final ruling still pending.
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