The countries are getting a sense of how far they must still go on the pitch at the upcoming edition in Morocco as Uganda and Tanzania co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The major continental powers have long faced early elimination from this AFCON in crucial group games on Tuesday, and the East African countries have long struggled to compete with them.
Tanzania and Tanzania meet Tunisia, both of whom almost certainly need victories to advance to the last 16.
Since reaching the 1978 final, only one victory has been recorded for Uganda at three different AFCON competitions. Tanzania have never won a game and are just their fourth Cup of Nations appearance.
Read more about Appollis’ Penalty that sends South Africa past Zimbabwe in the final 16 of the AFCON.
On Saturday, the teams drew 1-1 in Rabat, with Uganda equalizing before missing a late penalty.
Coach Miguel Angel Gamondi told AFP, “We are the fourth-weakest team in the Africa Cup of Nations, but we have played two games at a higher level.”
The Argentinian, who had previously played for Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars, was hired on the day of the tournament.
Despite having an estimated population of more than 70 million, which is the fourth-largest on the continent, Tanzania is ranked 112th and 27th in Africa. They suffered a close defeat to Nigeria as they kicked off their AFCON campaign.
– “Change The Mentality”
“I want to change the mindset of these players, show that we can compete, and put them in a winning mindset,” Gamondi said. “If we are already 112, I hope we can be lower than 100 in a few days,” he said.
Although Tanzania finished third in their group, there were indications of progress in World Cup qualifying, according to Gamondi, who is aware that things must have to change.
According to Gamondi, “One of the issues in Tanzania is that clubs can field 12 foreign players,” adding that this is because Young Africans and Simba, the continent’s top sides, are so successful.
Infrastructure is also a significant issue, according to the author. No high-quality pitches are present. The lack of youth development is, in my opinion, the biggest issue.
Because in the local league, there is no competition and players can’t grow up, what we need in Tanzania is good players who can go to Europe to compete and develop there.
Ally Samatta, a former Aston Villa striker from France, is Tanzania’s biggest star. The majority of their AFCON squad plays at home, and they also have fourth- and fifth-tier English players.
Uganda has a significantly higher ranking. Their squad also lacks elite experience, despite ranking 17th in Africa and 85th in the world.
Belgian coach Paul Put, a coach for Uganda, said, “We have a very young team and my responsibility is to build a team for 2027.”
We must be fit with strong players for 2027.
At least they are here to gain that knowledge because 113th-ranked Kenya has lost its previous three AFCON competitions.
