Taifa Stars head coach Hemed Seleiman has revealed that preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) are 80 percent complete, with the national team now shifting focus to final touches ahead of the continental showdown.
The tournament, which exclusively features players competing in domestic leagues, is scheduled to kick off on August 2 in Dar es Salaam, with Tanzania taking on Burkina Faso in the opening match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Speaking from Egypt, where the team has been conducting part of its training camp, Coach Seleiman said the remaining 20 percent of preparations will be completed through three friendly matches to be held in Tanzania before the tournament begins.
“Our players are in great condition and have shown strong morale. The upcoming friendlies will help us fine-tune tactics and build momentum before our first match,” he said.
Seleiman emphasized that this year’s CHAN is particularly important, as it will be played on home soil and presents a rare opportunity for the team to shine in front of Tanzanian fans.
“We’ve never performed particularly well in previous CHAN editions, but this time we are more optimistic because of the quality of players in camp. We believe we can go far,” he added.
The friendly matches, according to the coach, will help the players reach their peak performance level and allow the technical bench to make final tactical adjustments.
Meanwhile, striker Clement Mzize expressed satisfaction with the just-concluded training camp in Egypt, describing it as productive and essential in boosting the team’s competitiveness.
“We are returning home more focused and better prepared. The coaches have given us clear instructions, and we are committed to applying everything we've learned,” Mzize said.
He called on Tanzanians to rally behind the team as they prepare to represent the country in one of the continent’s most competitive football tournaments.
“Fan support will mean everything to us. This is our chance to make the nation proud, and we are ready to give it our all,” he added.
CHAN 2025 is expected to draw regional excitement and showcase homegrown talent from across Africa.
With Tanzania hosting the tournament for the first time, expectations are high for the Taifa Stars to deliver a historic performance.