Tanzania will host Guinea in a high-stakes 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Tuesday, with both sides hoping to clinch the one remaining ticket in Group H.
The hosts, in third place, are in a must-win situation, as they trail the visitors, who are in second place, by two points heading into the final group game.
Match preview
© Imago
Tanzania secured their place in contention for the second AFCON ticket in Group H after a 2-0 win against Ethiopia on Saturday.
First-half goals from Simon Msuva and Feisal Salum were enough to secure all three points, leaving the Taifa Stars in control of their own destiny heading into the final game of the qualifying campaign.
Hemed Suleiman's side must win against Guinea to qualify, and they will be hoping to leverage their home advantage when they take to the pitch.
Tanzania secured a 2-1 win away at Guinea in the first leg of this fixture, a result that Suleiman is expected to use as inspiration for his side against an opponent they have never lost to, with their other meeting ending in a draw.
However, one concern for the Taifa Stars is their failure to win any of their last three home matches, including the two they have played in this AFCON qualifying campaign against Ethiopia and Congo DR.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Guinea are heading into Tuesday's clash with the mission to avoid defeat, as a draw would be enough to clinch the second ticket in Group H.
Borussia Dortmund striker, Serhou Guirassy, scored a stoppage-time strike to secure all three points against Congo DR on Saturday, ensuring that the Syli National remain in the driving seat heading into the final game.
Kaba Diawara will be pleased with his team's turnaround in this AFCON qualifying series, having won their last three matches after losing the opening two.
Guinea have won two of their last three away games – against Ethiopia in AFCON qualifiers and against Algeria in World Cup qualifiers – and this will give them confidence in their ability to secure the required result against Tanzania.
Team News
© Imago
Salum has scored the most goals for Tanzania in the AFCON qualifiers (two) and was one of the scorers in the first leg against Guinea, making him a man to watch.
Mvusa is also expected to keep his place in the starting XI after finding the net last time out, while Mbwana Samatta leads the line.
With his goal against the Congo DR last time out, Guirassy now has six goals in three outings, rising to become the top scorer of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, and the 28-year-old striker will be hoping to make the difference once again on Tuesday.
Francois Kamano, Seydouba Cisse and Arouca forward Morlaye Sylla are expected to complete the attacking quartet once again, while Abdoulaye Toure and Mady Camara should remain as the midfield pivot.
Tanzania possible starting lineup:
Foba; Mohamed, Hamad, Job, Kapombe; Yahya, Salum, Miroshi; Msuva, Samatta, Mzize
Guinea possible starting lineup:
Camara; I Sylla, Conte, Sow, Diakite; Toure, Camara; Kamano, Cisse, M Sylla; Guirassy
We say: Tanzania 1-2 Guinea
Tanzania's lack of bite on home soil could once again prove costly, and the margins are slimmer for the hosts as they must win to stay in contention – this leaves them vulnerable to counter-attacks, which could be dangerous against a Guinea side boasting one of the world's best strikers, and therefore, we are predicting a victory for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
