Tanzania take on Nigeria in a dead rubber Afcon 2017 qualification tie at the Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo on September 3 with only victory in sight.
The Taifa Stars sit bottom of Group G with just one point and are yet to score a goal in the entire campaign but head coach Charles Mkwasa is confident his troops are up to the challenge.
“Both Tanzania and Nigeria are out of the qualification brackets but we want to win this game. Every coach sets out to win every game and we want to win because it will definitely improve our Fifa ranking,” said Mkwasa
In the absence of striker Thomas Ulimwengu who is recovering from an injury, Mkwasa will be looking to Belgium-based Mbwana Samatta who has been enjoying fine form at Genk.
Tanzania forced a draw against Nigeria last September in Dar es Salaam following a training camp in Belgium and Mkwasa believes he can pull off yet another positive result against the Super Eagles if not to improve their Fifa ranking then for bragging rights and national pride.
Meanwhile, Egypt has already secured qualification to Afcon 2017 from Group G having amassed an impressive 10 points with home and away wins over Tanzania, a home win against the Super Eagles and a priceless draw in Kaduna to ensure a place in Gabon for the first time since 2010.
Chad pulled out of this qualification campaign citing financial constraints in March this year following their 1-0 loss to Tanzania, the latter’s first win in the qualification process thus rendering all their results null and void.
Tanzania arrived in Lagos on Wednesday night with Samata joining them straight from Brussels and will train with the rest of the squad for the first time on Thursday.
