Tanzania raring to go despite suspension of head coach Adel Amrouche

Tanzania are “ready” to face Zambia in their second Africa Cup of Nations game after the suspension of head coach Adel Amrouche, acting boss Hemed Suleiman has said.

Following Tanzania’s 3-0 loss to Morocco in their Group F opener in Ivory Coast, in which they had Novatus Miroshi sent off, Amrouche was given an eight-match ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

A statement from the organisation said the sanction had come with Amrouche having been charged “for bringing CAF into disrepute following comments and allegations he made about the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.” Tanzania’s Bakari Nondo, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Abdessamad Ezzalzouli during the African Cup of Nations Group F soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro, Ivory Coast, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Tanzania’s Bakari Nondo, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Abdessamad Ezzalzouli during the African Cup of Nations Group F soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro, Ivory Coast, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

The Tanzanian Football Federation suspended Amrouche and appointed assistant Suleiman as acting head coach, and he said in quotes on the tournament’s official website ahead of Sunday’s clash: “After the match against Morocco, we prepared our team mentally and physically.

“We have also resolved our problems and we are ready to play Zambia. It’s a great team with good players but we have objectives for this tournament too.

“It’s a big responsibility for me to be here. But that’s normal too. The head coach could have had a red card so I have always had to be prepared for such situations.”

Zambia, managed by former Chelsea and West Ham boss Avram Grant, drew 1-1 in their opening match against DR Congo. Zambia manager Avram Grant (Themba Hadebe/AP)

Zambia manager Avram Grant (Themba Hadebe/AP)

Grant said: “The most important thing in football is the next match. We started well against DR Congo but the focus now is Tanzania.

“This meeting is important because we want to win to increase our chances of qualifying for the next round.

“We have our own style of play. We want to move forward, and score goals every time. The Tanzania team is very solid. We will have to expect a complicated match.”