Dar es Salaam. As the clock ticks toward the kickoff of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament exclusively for locally based players, the spotlight is increasingly shifting to East Africa and especially to Tanzania, which, for the first time in its football history, will serve as co-host of the continental competition alongside Kenya and Uganda.
But while the event carries enormous symbolic value, for Taifa Stars head coach Hemed Suleiman, better known as Morocco, CHAN 2024 represents more than pageantry or patriotism. It is, in his view, the beginning of a transformative journey for Tanzanian football.
“This is not just about hosting a tournament,” Morocco tells in an exclusive interview. “It’s about seizing the moment to redefine our footballing identity to build, to test, and to inspire.”
CHAN: More Than a Tournament
CHAN is often overshadowed by its more glamorous cousin, AFCON. But for Morocco, it is a unique stage perhaps even more important for a country like Tanzania, where local football is growing but often lacks continental exposure.
“These games are for our own players who sweat every week in the Tanzanian Premier League.
This is their platform. It’s their World Cup. And when you co-host it, the responsibility doubles. We have to show Africa that we are not only growing, but that we’re ready to compete.”
He goes on to commend Tanzanian clubs such as Simba, Yanga, and Azam FC for laying the groundwork that has enabled this moment to arrive.
According to him, the CHAN tournament has already triggered growth in critical areas such as stadium infrastructure, coaching education, fan culture, and investor interest.
“This didn’t start with the national team it started with the clubs. Without their efforts in CAF competitions and youth development, this dream would not be possible.”
Tough Group, Tougher Resolve
Drawn in a competitive group with Burkina Faso, Mauritania, the Central African Republic, and Madagascar, Tanzania finds itself up against teams that may not dominate headlines but which pack serious tactical and technical threats.
“There are no small teams anymore,” Morocco says with a smile. “Burkina Faso have a strong local league and technical discipline. Mauritania are tactically modern. Madagascar play with speed and flair. Central African Republic are unpredictable but aggressive.”
“We have analyzed their recent matches, their systems, and key players. We’re not walking in blind. Every team in this group has the potential to top it but so do we. That’s the beauty of football at this level.”
Performance Beyond Results
For Coach Morocco, the immediate target may be to get out of the group, but his real ambition lies deeper to use CHAN as a lab for long-term national development.
“We’re not only here to win matches. We’re here to identify who can lead Tanzania into the future who understands what it means to wear the badge with honor and discipline.”
He emphasizes that CHAN is also a bridge to AFCON 2027, which Tanzania is set to co-host. Players selected now could very well be leaders of that historic squad three years from now.
“We’re looking at everything their reading of the game, their mental strength, their ability to adapt to international intensity. It’s a process. CHAN helps us separate those ready from those still learning.”
Fit, Focused, and Fired Up
Despite concerns about player fatigue following a demanding domestic season, Morocco expresses confidence in the physical and psychological readiness of his squad thanks to a well-designed preparation program that included a high-intensity training camp in Ismailia, Egypt.
“We chose Ismailia for a reason to isolate the players from distractions, to focus, to bond, and to face real pressure in friendlies. The camp wasn’t just about running drills. It was about building a unit.”
He reveals that sports psychologists were also involved in the camp, helping players manage anxiety, improve focus, and maintain composure under pressure.
“You can have great talent, but if you don’t prepare the mind, you risk collapse under pressure. We’ve taken this seriously. Mentally, we’re tougher than before.”
Squad Depth
Asked about the tactical strengths of his team, Morocco is quick to mention the defensive solidity first but doesn’t stop there.
“Our defense has experience and chemistry. In midfield, we have players who can win the ball and distribute it with precision. We’re still refining our attacking partnerships, but I’m encouraged. The signs are good. We’ve got players who are willing to take responsibility that’s key.”
Morocco also highlights leadership within the squad as a key asset, describing several players as “mentors in boots” players who not only lead by example but lift the standards of those around them.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Tanzania has participated in CHAN three times before in 2009, 2011, and 2020 but has never progressed beyond the group stage. This time, the stars seem better aligned.
“We’re not here just to participate. We’re here to compete to break records, to prove that Tanzanian football has matured.”
With the advantage of home support and one of the strongest locally-based squads in recent memory, Morocco believes it is now or never for Taifa Stars.
“We want to make it past the group stage, yes. But that’s just the beginning. The real goal is to go deep into this tournament and change the perception of Tanzanian football once and for all.”
The Dream beyond CHAN
In closing, Morocco sends a message to fans, stakeholders, and players alike:
“We need to believe not in miracles, but in preparation, in hard work, and in the power of local football. This team represents the future, and we’re building it step by step.”
As CHAN 2024 draws near, Tanzania isn’t just hosting Africa it’s hosting a dream, one that could alter the trajectory of its football for generations to come.
