Defending champions Senegal suffered a blow to their African Nations Championship (CHAN) preparations after falling 2-1 to hosts Tanzania in a spirited pre-tournament friendly at Karatu Stadium on Sunday.

The result capped a successful campaign for the Tanzania Taifa Stars, who also edged Uganda 1-0 earlier in the warm-up series, boosting morale ahead of their CHAN 2024 opener.

Senegal, Nigeria’s first opponents in Group C of the tournament, struck early through Mapathe Mbodji, who capitalised on a goalkeeping error in the eighth minute to nod home a set-piece clearance.

The early lead momentarily stunned the home crowd and appeared to put the champions in control.

But the Tanzanians, buoyed by local support and aggressive wing play, refused to be cowed. Winger Iddi Suleiman emerged as a constant threat down the left flank, troubling the Senegalese defence with pace and precision. Despite six first-half corners and several close calls, the hosts trailed at the break.

The breakthrough came six minutes into the second half when Suleiman’s surging run into the box was illegally halted by Senegal defender Mbaye Ndiaye. Abdul Suleiman calmly converted the resulting penalty to level the score in the 54th minute.

Tanzania maintained their momentum, and just five minutes later, their comeback was complete. Feisal Salum’s clever set-piece delivery found Abdul Suleiman, who laid it off for Ibrahim Abdullah to delicately chip past the onrushing goalkeeper, giving Tanzania a 2-1 lead.

Senegal nearly found an instant response, but Tanzanian substitute goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman made a vital save to deny Libasse Gueye’s strike in the 61st minute, preserving the hosts’ advantage.

The win sends a strong signal from the Taifa Stars ahead of CHAN 2024, where they will compete as co-hosts, while raising questions about the readiness of Senegal, who face Nigeria in their group opener.

Senegal, which also lost 2-1 to Uganda in an earlier friendly, now face mounting pressure as they attempt to defend their CHAN title.

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Two-time African Nations Championship (CHAN) winners Morocco have become the first team to arrive in Kenya, one of the three countries hosting the 2024 edition of the tournament.

The Moroccans touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi at 4:00 a.m. local time on Monday.

The early arrival of the Atlas Lions sets the tone for what promises to be an electrifying month-long competition, co-hosted for the first time by three East African nations — Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Already, Senegal and Nigeria in Group D have arrived in Tanzania.

The Moroccan delegation received a colourful welcome featuring traditional East African music and dancers, adding to the celebratory mood ahead of the tournament’s kick-off this Friday.

“We are excited to be here and ready for CHAN,” said defender Marouane Louadni of AS FAR.

“I already love Nairobi; the weather is great, and we are looking forward to a successful tournament.”

History Beckons for Atlas Lions

Winners on home soil in 2018 and again in Cameroon in 2021, Morocco are aiming to become the first nation to win the CHAN title three times. Their opening match is set for Sunday, August 4, against Angola at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Drawn in a competitive Group A alongside hosts Kenya, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia, the North Africans will be banking on their pedigree and recent form to make a deep run.

 Morocco and DR Congo are the only nations to have lifted the CHAN trophy twice.

The 28-man Moroccan squad underwent an intensive pre-tournament camp, including two friendlies against Burkina Faso and a dominant 6–0 win over Chad in the most recent FIFA international window, underlining their physical and tactical readiness.

Nairobi Gears Up for Historic Tournament

Excitement is building in Nairobi as the city prepares to host the opening match of CHAN 2024 — a tournament exclusively reserved for players active in their domestic leagues.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have finalized ticketing and logistics, as fans eagerly await what is being hailed as one of the biggest football events in Kenya’s history.

The month-long tournament, running from August 2 to 30, will feature matches across various venues in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda — a significant test run for the region’s co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Group A Teams Set to Arrive

Morocco’s early arrival is expected to be followed by the rest of Group A in the coming days. Zambia are due in Nairobi on Tuesday, with DR Congo and Angola scheduled to land on Thursday.

As the first team to hit the ground, Morocco will be hoping to make their head start count — and rewrite CHAN history with a record third title.

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As Nigeria gears up for their opening match at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), their Group D opponents, defending champions Senegal, are enduring a worrying run of form in their East African trial matches.

The Teranga Lions have suffered back-to-back defeats in friendly games played in Tanzania, raising concerns over their title defence campaign under Coach Souleymane Diallo.

On Sunday, Senegal lost 2-1 to co-hosts Tanzania in a warm-up encounter that exposed defensive frailties. Despite taking an early lead through Mapathe Mbodji in the 8th minute, the West Africans failed to maintain control.

The Tanzanians struck back in the second half, with Abdul Suleiman converting a penalty in the 53rd minute following a foul by Seny Mbaye Ndiaye.

Just three minutes later, Ibrahim Hamad scored the winning goal, beating Senegal goalkeeper Marc Philippe Arouna Diouf.

Earlier on Thursday, Senegal fell to Uganda by the same 2-1 margin in another pre-tournament friendly. Uganda, led by Coach Morley Byekwaso, bounced back from a previous 1-0 defeat to Tanzania with a spirited performance at Karatu’s Black Rhino Sports Centre in Arusha.

“I’m happy with the hunger my players showed on the pitch,” Byekwaso was quoted as saying by Tanzania’s Daily News.

 “We managed to win by pushing more in attack, but there’s still work to do, especially in closing down spaces. That’s something we’ll focus on before CHAN kicks off.”

Goals from defender Arnold Odong and substitute Patrick Jonah Kakande gave Uganda a comfortable two-goal cushion before Senegal’s Moctar Serigne Koité pulled one back late in the match. Despite a tense finale, the Cranes held on for a morale-boosting win.

The two defeats leave Senegal with plenty to ponder ahead of their CHAN opener against Nigeria.

For the Super Eagles, currently fine-tuning their own preparations, the Teranga Lions’ poor run may offer a psychological edge, though they would be wise not to underestimate a wounded champion seeking redemption.

Senegal will face Nigeria at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, 5 August.

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