Hosts Tanzania got their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign off to a flying start with a composed 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday evening.

A calmly taken first-half penalty from forward Abdul Sopu and a commanding second-half header by defender Mohamed Hussein were enough to secure all three points for the Taifa Stars, much to the delight of the home crowd.

The result gives Tanzania a crucial early lead in Group A, which also features Burundi and the Central African Republic, while extending Burkina Faso’s unwanted record of never winning a CHAN opening match in their tournament history.

Tanzania began with intent, taking control of the early exchanges. Clement Mzize and Feisal Salum both forced Burkina Faso goalkeeper Ladji Sanou into action within the first 15 minutes as the hosts pressed high with confidence.

Burkina Faso, looking to counter, had fleeting moments of promise. Yakoub Suleiman was called upon to deny efforts from Souleymane Sangaré and Papus Ouattara, keeping the score level. The breakthrough came on the stroke of half-time. Clement Mzize was brought down in the box by Frank Tologo in the third minute of stoppage time, and Sopu coolly slotted the resulting penalty past Sanou, sending him the wrong way.

Husseini seals It with authority

Burkina Faso made three changes at the interval, introducing seasoned campaigners Patrick Malo and Yves Koutiama to shift the tempo in their favour. However, it was Tanzania who continued to dominate the rhythm of the game.

The second goal came in the 71st minute following sustained pressure. Midfielder Mudathir Yahya floated in a precise cross from the right, and Mohamed Hussein rose above the defence to steer a bullet header into the net, doubling Tanzania’s lead.

Despite a late push from the West Africans, including efforts from Tertius Bagré and Ouattara, Burkina Faso failed to find the back of the net. Their attacks lacked accuracy and composure, allowing Tanzania to manage the final minutes with relative ease.

The result leaves Burkina Faso with work to do if they hope to reach the CHAN knockout stages for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, Tanzania will aim to maintain their momentum in their next group fixture.

With home support firmly behind them and a solid performance to build on, the Taifa Stars have made a bold statement of intent as CHAN 2024 gets underway.

Incase ypu missed the match, here’s our live blog.

LIVE BLOG:

90′ – Tanzania look to have locked out the game for Burkina Faso, as eefforst from Ouattara and Bagre repelled constatly in midfield. Burkinabe look to create something from wingplay, but Taifa Stars gain more confident, eing a constant threat on the counter.

84′ – Substitution Tanzania – Nado is replaced by Mwaikenda as the hosts looks to secure the game.

83′ – Taifa Stars still hold 63% ball possesion, havinh released 19 shots. Burkina Faso have only managed 8 shots all game, with no big chances created. 

77′ – Burkina Faso substitution – Tologo is replaced by Kabore

76′- Tanzania subsstitution – Msindo replaces Suleiman. 

72′ – GOAL TANZANIA! After a lenghy VAR check, Tanzania’s goal stands! Simba star Mohamed Husseini’s header doubles the lead for Taifa Stars

65′ – Ouatarra seems to have sustained a nasty injuty after holding off a couple off opponents, succesfully woks the ball out wide efore being taken out by Tanzania’s holding midfielder Kagoma.

60′- Sanou makes another point-blabk range save for Burkina Faso after Taifa Stars’ Suleiman get’s through on goal. Tanzania could get another goal here. Several massives made by the Bukinabe goalkepper.

58′ – Tanzania’s ball possesion has slightly reduced to 63%, after Burkina Faso players started winning more second balls. 

53′- Burkina Faso start to find theie feet, stringing calm passes from the back and keeping the ball for abit longer than they have nee for the whole game. 

50′- The hosts are in complete control of the game, with Salum testing Sanou again from deep. Burkina Faso find a chance to reak and gain a corner. The header from Ouatarra falls on deaf ears as it goes wide off the mark.

48′ – Tanzania force the Burkinabe goalkeeper Sanou to make two reflex shots, after Mziza tried to curl one in the top corner to gain a corner for the Taifa Stars, and the next one a parry from the rsulting corner. Burkina Faso look to be on the ropes here.

47 ‘ – Substitution Burkina Faso – Malo replaces Sagne, Koutiama replaces Sangare and Baguian replaces Adjibade

46′ – Second half kicks off at the Benjami Mkapa Stadium. 

HALFTIME:

45′ – GOAL TANZANIA! Suleiman scores from the spot to give the hosts the lead. Taifa Stars fans sent into pandemonium as their home team get the goal they needed. 1-0 Tanzania.

44′- PENALTY awarded to Tanzania. Mzize is taken down in the box by Frank Tologo after a quick 1-2. Burkina Faso players argue Sangare was fouled prior to the chance.

40′ –  Salum awkwardly skies another shot for Tanzania, as the hosts keep getting more chances. Burkinabe continue to commit fouls and lose the ball around their penalty area.

36 – Yellow Card Mohamed Yahya! The Tanzanian midfielder elbows Burkina Faso’s Bagre as they try to win a ball in the air! 

35′ – Taifa Stars are winning alot of set pieces, with Burkina Faso having committed more than 10 fouls, as compared to the hosts’ 4. Burkina Faso also have made less passes in the game, as they struggle to thre

30′ – Burkina Faso can’t find a route out of Tanzania’s tight midfield, as every clearance by Tologo and Guiro repelled by the hosts.

25′ – Tanzania are in control of the game. With most shots (5) so far. Only two are on target. The hold 65% ball possesiion to Burkina Faso’s 35%, having stringed more than 200 complete passes, with a pass accuracy of 89%. 

20′- The game is getting a little cagy, with tackles and challenges all over the pitch. Tanzania’s Kapome seems to have injured his ankle again after trying to win the ball off a Bukrina Faso attacker. 

19′  Taifa Stars almost score again! Salum skies a header after a good cross by Yahya!

16′– Burkina Faso get their first shot on goal after a mistake in the hosts defense, with Sangare pulling a low shot, but Suleiman Ali dives low to save it, saving Tanznia’s blushes. 

14′ – Tanzania’s Kapome goes down injured as is taken off for treatment after a heavy challenge. He limbers up and gets back into the field, after Burkina Faso take advantage of the extra man. 

12′ – Mzize almost scores! Mohamed’s cross from the left sees an improvised shot go just wide. Tanzania look to e in control of the match, winning all duels. 

10′ – The hosts are starting to test goalkeeper Sanou, with main man Mzize stealing snapshot only to be saved 

7′ – Taifa Stars’ defence of Kapombe, Job, Hamad and Mohamed seem to be holding off the Burkinabe trials. The midfield trio of Kagoma, Nado and Yahya winning all seconf balls so far.

4′ – The hosts get half a chance, as Suleiman gets a low cross in from he right hand side, only for Burkina Faso goalkeeper Sanou saves it!

2′ – Burkina Faso start the game on the front foot, stringing quick passes in between the Tanzania midfield. 

1′ – Kickoff at the Benjamoin Mkapa Stadium!

Background:

Co-hosts Tanzania launch their CHAN 2024 journey tonight in Dar es Salaam, taking on Burkina Faso in a Group A clash steeped in history and hope. This marks the first-ever CHAN meeting between the two nations, with both sides eager to finally crack the tournament’s knockout stages.

Tanzania, playing in their third CHAN finals, are yet to progress beyond the group stage—despite coming agonizingly close in both 2009 and 2020. Their past tournament openers haven’t gone well, but with home support behind them and momentum from recent preparations, the Taifa Stars are eyeing a statement win.

Burkina Faso, meanwhile, arrive for their fourth appearance still seeking consistency. Their tournament record includes only one win in nine matches, but they’ll take confidence from their 2020 victory over Zimbabwe and gritty qualification through penalties against Côte d’Ivoire.

History favours the hosts—six of the seven past CHAN openers have been won by home nations—but the pressure is high. Both sides know that a strong start could set the tone in a tricky group, and neither wants to repeat past near-misses.

Kick-off is moments away at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, and the atmosphere is electric. Stay with us for all the live updates, big moments, and talking points from this eagerly anticipated CHAN 2024 curtain-raiser.