Tanzania 2-2 Guinea: Taifa Stars eliminated from Chan after draw with National Elephants

Tanzania have been eliminated from the African Nations Championship after a 2-2 draw with Guinea in a Group D game played at the Reunification Stadium, Douala on Wednesday night.

Yakhouba Gnagna Barry and Victor Kantabadouno were on target for the National Elephants, while Baraka Majogoro and Edward Manyama replied for Taifa Stars.

After collecting three points from their initial two games in the group, the East Africans were aware they had to win the game to eliminate their opponents who were on three points.

However, it was the Guineans who started the match on a high and in the second minute, Aishi Manula had to be alert to stop Mohammed Traore’s fierce shot from finding the back of the net. He parried the ball out for a corner.

From the resulting set piece, Kalos Protus handled the ball in the danger zone and the referee pointed to the penalty spot amid protests from the Taifa Stars players. Barry stepped up and sent the Simba SC custodian the wrong way to give his team an early advantage. 

The experienced stopper once again was called to action in the 11th minute. Mohamed Coumbassa was let loose in the danger zone and took a good shot which was eventually dealt with.

Stars finally settled and started asking questions. In the 20th minute, Shomari Kapombe’s shot from about 30 yards narrowly missed the target.

The now blazing Stars sensed they could get an equalizer as their opponents looked nervous. They eventually did in the 23rd minute when the National Elephants failed to clear a dangerous ball and it found its way to Majogoro, whose first-time shot happened to be too much for Moussa Camara in the Guinea goal.

Kapombe, and Kalos Kirenge had chances to score for Tanzania but they failed to capitalize on them.

On the other hand, Coumbassa’s effort was stopped by Manula as the two teams went on the break tied at 1-1.

Stars started the second half on a high and in the 49th minute, Ditram Nchimbi had a chance to score but he once again missed the target from close range.

In the 60th minute, the West Africans conceded a fre kick in a good area. However, Kapombe put it too close to the goalkeeper and it was eventually parried for safety by the hawk-eyed custodian. 

Etienne Ndayiragije’s charges were almost punished in the 65th minute when the unmarked Mohamed Soumah crossed the ball to Mohamed Traore, but the defender sky-rocketed the ball with the goal at his mercy.

The Elephants eventually paid the price for failing to capitalise on their chances in the 70th minute. They conceded a corner which was brought in well by Feisal Salum. The unmarked Manyama rose highest to find the back of the net in favour of his team.

In the 75th minute, Farid Mussa was in the right position to deny goal-bound effort from Kantabadouno.

As time went by, it was Guinea who were in the ascendency and they literally camped in the final third hoping to get a goal to take them to the quarter-finals.

They were eventually rewarded in the 81st minute when Traore’s cross from the left found the unmarked Kantabadouno who rose highest to head home the equalizer which sent the team to the last eight.

Zambia qualified as well despite a goalless draw with Guinea.

In the quarters, Guinea will play Rwanda while Zambia will have a date with the defending champions Morocco.

Tanzania XI: Aishi Manula, Shomari Kapombe, Edward Manyama, Baraka Majogoro, Bakari Nondo, Kalos Kirenge, Farid Mussa, Saidi Juma, Ditram Adrian Nchimbi, Feisal Salum, Ayub Lyanga.

Guinea XI: Moussa Camara, Naby Camara, Mohamed Bangoura, Mory Kante, Mohamed Traore, Ibrahim Doumbouya, Ibrahim Doumbouya, Ibrahim Sory Camara, Mohamed Soumah, Yakhouba Gnagna Barry, Victor Kantabadouno, Mohamed Coumbassa