Tanzania Begin CHAN PAMOJA 2024 in Style with Historic Win over Burkina Faso
The electrifying atmosphere, created by thousands of home fans, clearly energized the Taifa Stars, who dominated large stretches of the game and displayed tactical discipline, technical maturity, and attacking intent throughout the 90 minutes.
Dar es Salaam, August 2, 2025 — Tanzania's Taifa Stars kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 campaign in commanding fashion, securing a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso at a packed Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Saturday night. The result marked Tanzania's first-ever opening-day victory in a CHAN tournament and handed them an early lead in Group B.
The electrifying atmosphere, created by thousands of home fans, clearly energized the Taifa Stars, who dominated large stretches of the game and displayed tactical discipline, technical maturity, and attacking intent throughout the 90 minutes.
Tanzania looked sharp from the first whistle, with early chances falling to attacking duo Clement Mzize and Feisal Salum. Their early attempts were repelled by Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper Ladji Sanou, but it was a clear sign of the hosts' attacking ambitions.
Burkina Faso, for their part, threatened on the break with Souleymane Sangaré and Papus Ouattara testing Tanzanian goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman in isolated counter-attacks. But just before the half-time whistle, Tanzania made their breakthrough.
Mzize was tripped in the box by defender Frank Tologo in the third minute of first-half added time. Abdul Sopu stepped up to calmly slot the resulting penalty past Sanou, sending the crowd into celebration and giving Tanzania a deserved 1-0 lead at the interval.
Burkina Faso made a triple substitution at the break in a bid to change the game's trajectory, bringing on veterans Patrick Malo and Yves Koutiama. However, it was Tanzania who emerged hungrier and more composed after the restart.
The Taifa Stars piled on the pressure and were eventually rewarded in the 71st minute. Midfielder Mudathir Yahya floated in a perfectly weighted cross from the right, and towering defender Mohamed Hussein rose above the pack to nod home Tanzania's second goal with a thumping header.
From then on, Tanzania managed the game superbly, frustrating the Burkinabè attack and preserving their two-goal cushion. Burkina Faso launched a series of late attacks, but efforts from Tertius Bagré and Ouattara failed to trouble Suleiman as the East African side saw out a famous victory.
Group B Implications
The win places Tanzania at the summit of Group B, giving them crucial momentum in a tightly contested group that also features Madagascar, Mauritania, and the Central African Republic. The result is especially significant for Tanzania, who had lost their opening fixtures in both of their previous CHAN appearances.
For Burkina Faso, the defeat continues a worrying trend of slow starts at the continental tournament. They are now winless in all four of their CHAN opening matches, and their path to a maiden knockout-stage qualification has become significantly steeper.
Tanzania will now look to carry this momentum into their next group clash, likely with increased belief and confidence. Head coach Hemed Suleiman Morocco will be pleased not only with the result but also with the team's balanced performance on both ends of the pitch.
Burkina Faso, meanwhile, face a must-win scenario in their next match if they are to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.
CHAN PAMOJA 2024 – Upcoming Fixtures
(Sunday, 3 August 2025)
Group A – Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi (Kenya)
15:00 EAT – Kenya vs DR Congo
A pivotal fixture for the co-hosts Kenya, who will hope to get off to a flying start against two-time CHAN champions DR Congo.
18:00 EAT – Morocco vs Angola
Reigning champions Morocco begin their title defense against a well-organized Angola side in what promises to be a tactical battle.
Group B – Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
20:00 EAT – Madagascar vs Mauritania
The second Group B fixture could prove critical in shaping the group’s dynamics, especially following Tanzania’s early win.
The 8th edition of the African Nations Championship is being co-hosted for the first time by East African neighbors Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania under the theme “PAMOJA” (Swahili for “Together”). The tournament is unique in its exclusive focus on players active in their home national leagues, offering a vital platform for local talent across the continent.
With the group stages underway and early results already reshaping expectations, CHAN PAMOJA 2024 promises drama, surprises, and stories that will live long in African football folklore.
