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2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Group F
Zambia v Tanzania
Laurent Pokou Stadium
San-Pedro, Ivory Coast
Sunday, 21 January 2024
Kick-off is at 19h00
Zambia and Tanzania will meet for the first time at a competitive level when they go head to head in the 2023
Africa Cup of Nations at the Laurent Pokou Stadium on Sunday, January 21.
The two teams have squared off in three friendlies down the years, with the Taifa Stars unbeaten after recording two wins and one draw.
Chipolopolo kicked off their 2023 AFCON campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo on January 17, having taken a 23rd-minute lead through KIngs Kangwa before Yoane Wissa quickly hit back for the Leopards with the equaliser on 27 minutes.
Avram Grant's side came under siege in the second half, although they managed to hold on for a point to sit third in Group F, two leaders Morocco.
Alamy Stock Photo
Tanzania were no match for the Atlas Lions in San-Pedro after succumbing to a 3-0 defeat and their task was made that much harder when Novatus Miroshi was sent off in the 70th minute.
Romain Saiss opened the scoring in the 30th minute and two goals in quick succession from Azzedine Ounahi (77') and Youssef En-Nesyri (80') sealed the win as Morocco took full advantage of the extra man.
Patson Daka has been in a rich vein of goalscoring form for the Copper Bullets, but he hardly had a look-in against DR Congo, who restricted them to just three shots in the match. The Leicester striker had scored seven goals in his previous five games for the national team and will fancy his chances against the East Africans.
Mbwana Samatta has the most goals in the current Tanzania squad (22) and he's just three shy of equalling Mrisho Ngassa's record as their all-time leading scorer. The PAOK striker will be desperate to get back amongst the goals after last finding the back of the net in a 3-1 win over Central African Republic on 23 March 2022.
Grant will go back to the drawing board for the clash with the Taifa Stars after conceding that Zambia were second-best against DR Congo.
"It was a difficult match for both teams but DR Congo were much better than us," the Israeli said. "We moved the ball well but it was difficult for our attackers against big, strong defenders.
"Every game is different and the next one will be different from this one. We will surely put in place another tactic to seek victory against Tanzania."
Tanzania head coach Adel Amrouche admitted the class in gulf between them and the Atlas Lions made all the difference, but insisted mistakes didn't help their cause.
"Our gameplan failed," Amrouche said. "The quality of Morocco's players made the difference and they deserved to win.
"We wanted a good result but I also had a lot of injuries which did not help us. We then made individual mistakes.
"I'm trying to stay optimistic. We will correct our errors from this game and focus on the upcoming matches. It won't be easy but we still have a chance."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 3
Zambia wins - 0
Tanzania wins - 2
Draws - 1
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