Tanzania and Niger set out to get their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign back on track when they face off at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Sunday.
The Mena, who are on a run of nine consecutive away games without a win across all competitions, will be looking to pick up their first win of the qualifiers and move from the bottom of Group F.
Match preview
Tanzania endured a slow start to their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania in their group opener in June 2022, four days before suffering a 2-0 loss to Algeria in Dar es Salaam.
The Taifa Stars got their campaign up and running in their first outing in 2023 as they picked up a 1-0 victory over Uganda on March 24 courtesy of a second-half strike from Simon Msuva.
However, Tanzania were sent crashing back to earth four days later as they were beaten 1-0 by Uganda in the second of their group double-header at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
With four points from a possible 12, Adel Amrouche's men are currently second in Group F, eight points behind first-placed Algeria and two above Sunday's visitors, who are rooted to the bottom of the table.
Tanzania, who are in search of a second AFCON appearance since 1980, head into the weekend on a run of one win in their last seven home matches, while losing four and claiming two draws since September 2021.
Niger, on the other hand, have endured a poor run in their quest for a first African Cup of Nations appearance since 2013 as they have failed to win their four matches so far.
After finishing third in the World Cup qualifiers back in 2021, Jean Michel Cavalli's side kicked off their AFCON qualifying campaign with successive draws against Tanzania and Uganda in June 2022.
This was followed by back-to-back defeats at the hands of Algeria in March's double-header, losing 2-1 at the Stade Nelson Mandela three days before Baghdad Bounedjah's sixth-minute strike handed the Greens 1-0 victory.
Niger are currently rooted to the bottom of Group F, but could move into second place this weekend as they sit just two points behind Tanzania heading into the final two group games.
However, the Mena have failed to win their last nine away matches across all competitions, losing seven and claiming two draws since a 4-2 victory over Djibouti in September 2021.
Team News
Amrouche has named an experienced squad for Sunday's matchup, with the likes of Himid Mao, Benno Kakolanya and Al-Qadisiyah striker Msuva headlining the squad.
With his strike against Tanzania back in March, Msuva now has 18 goals in 77 appearances for the Taifa Stars and we expect the 29-year-old to lead the attack once again.
FC Dallas man Bernard Kamungo has earned his maiden call-up to the Tanzanian national team and the 21-year-old will be looking to make his debut this weekend.
Niger journey to the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium with a 28-man squad including the Spanish-based trio of Rahim Alhassane, Hassane Adamou and Castellon defender Yac Diori.
Daniel Sosah has played the full 90 minutes in all four group-stage matches and the 24-year-old, who has two goals in the qualifiers, should lead the Mena's attack once again.
Tanzania possible starting lineup:
Kakolanya; Shomary, Hussein, Job, Mwamnyeto; Mao, Dismas, Mussa; Denis, Msuva, Kamungo
Niger possible starting lineup:
Tandja; Souleymane, Alhassane, Diori, Garba; Sabo, Diabate; Adamou, Darankoum, Wonkoye; Sosah
We say: Tanzania 1-2 Niger
Having picked up just two points from their four matches, defeat for Niger will see them eliminated from the qualifiers. With that in mind, we expect the Mena to come out guns blazing and edge out Tanzania who have failed to win five of their last six home games.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
