Taifa Stars head coach Hemed Suleiman remains confident despite the suspension of midfielder Yusuph Kagoma ahead of Tanzania’s vital CHAN 2024 Group B match against Madagascar on Saturday at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Kagoma, a key player in the midfield engine room, will miss the fixture after accumulating two yellow cards in the tournament.
His second booking came during Tanzania’s 2–0 win over Mauritania on Wednesday, following an earlier caution against Burkina Faso.
While the suspension represents a tactical setback, Suleiman is upbeat about his team’s ability to adapt.
“We will definitely miss Kagoma, but I am not overly worried,” Suleiman said during the post-match press briefing. “Our squad is strong, and we have capable players ready to fill the gap.”
Suleiman highlighted the team’s depth, pointing to the introduction of young midfielder Ahmed Pipino in the Mauritania match as evidence of the quality options available.
Unfortunately, Pipino suffered a minor injury shortly after entering the game, but the coach confirmed the player is recovering well.
“It was unfortunate that Pipino got injured minutes after coming on, but he is doing fine,” Suleiman added.
Despite his limited experience at the international level, Pipino is seen as a promising talent who could be integral to the team’s future plans.
“He has potential. While he may lack extensive national team experience, continued exposure will help him and other young players develop into key contributors,” Suleiman stated.
Tanzania enters the Madagascar encounter buoyed by back-to-back wins over Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Securing a victory on Saturday would effectively guarantee progression to the knockout stages of the tournament.
However, the absence of Kagoma will test the midfield’s resilience and tactical discipline. Experts believe Madagascar will seek to exploit any disruption in Tanzania’s midfield rhythm, aiming to challenge the home side’s composure and control.
For Suleiman, this challenge represents a chance to demonstrate the squad’s adaptability and depth qualities essential for sustained success in continental competitions.
If Taifa Stars can maintain their momentum without Kagoma, it will underline their credentials as serious contenders in CHAN 2024.