Tanzania and Zambia will clash for the first time at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025 when they meet in a Group A clash in Mohammedia on Monday (kick-off 14h00 local time / GMT).
While Zambia are meeting East African opposition for the first time, Tanzania are facing Southern African opponents for the third tournament in a row.
In their two previous tournament appearances in 2017 and 2019, Tanzania faced a COSAFA opponents in the form of Angola in the group stages. They won 2-1 in 2017 and lost 4-2 in 2019.
TANZANIA FACTS
· Tanzania are making their third appearance at the TotalEnergies U-17 AFCON finals. They first qualified in Gabon in 2017 and then returned as hosts in 2019.
· Tanzania have exited the tournament at the group stage in both of their previous appearances.
· Tanzania have never previously won their opening game at the finals. Their record in their opening game reads D1 L1.
· In their debut appearance in 2017, Tanzania drew their first game against Mali 0-0, while as hosts in 2019 their opening game produced nine goals. Tanzania fell to a 5-4 defeat against Nigeria, scoring the same number of goals in that game as they have in their other five fixtures at the finals combined.
· Tanzania are yet to progress beyond the group stages. Their overall record at the finals from six games reads W1 D1 L4.
· Five of Tanzania’s six games have produced goals and a winner. Their only game not to produce goals and end in a draw was their opening fixture in 2017, a 0-0 draw against Mali.
· Tanzania’s only win at the finals was in their second group game against Angola in 2017, a 2-1 win.
· Tanzania have lost their last four games at the finals since defeating Angola. They lost their final group game against Niger in 2017 and all three group fixtures in 2019.
· Tanzania progressed to the finals through the CECAFA qualifying tournament, where they ended as runners up to Uganda. They began with a 1-1 draw against hosts Uganda in their opening game and then defeated Kenya 1-0 to progress to the last four, where they defeated South Sudan 4-0, before losing 2-1 to Uganda in the final.
· Tanzania scored 7 goals in the qualifiers with 7 different players finding the back of the net.
· Tanzania’s squad are all domestically based and represents 14 different clubs, with just JKU Academy, Fountain Gate FC, Azam, Kilombere SNA and Tabora United having two representatives in the squad.
· Tanzania are coached by Aggrey Morris, a former Tanzania international who made 32 appearances for his country between 2010 and 2019.
ZAMBIA FACTS
· Zambia are making their third appearance at the finals after previous participations in 2015 and 2023.
· Zambia are appearing in back to back finals for the first time but have been eliminated at the group stages in both their previous tournament appearances.
· Zambia have lost both of their opening games at the finals, 1-0 against Guinea in 2015 and against Nigeria in 2023.
· Zambia’s overall record at the finals reads P6 W2 D0 L4.
· Zambia’s two victories at the finals came in their second group game in 2015 against Niger, a 2-1 win, and in their final group game against Morocco in 2023, also a 2-1 victory.
· Zambia qualified for the finals after winning the 2024 COSAFA U-17 championship which took place in South Africa in December last year. They won all three of their group games defeating Namibia (8-0), Zimbabwe (5-1) and Eswatini (1-0). They defeated South Africa and Angola in the semifinals and final respectively, winning both games 2-1.Abel Nyirongo was Zambia’s top scored in the qualifiers with 7 goals. He scored in four of their five games.
· Zambia coach Ian Bakala is a former Chipolopolo international who played 41 times for his country and appeared at three AFCON Finals, playing six games across the 2002, 2006 and 2008 editions.
· All of Zambia’s squad are domestically based.
