Tanzania have only played one match in this year’s Africa Cup and there is already a change on the coaching bench. The reason, however, is not a sporting one
Tanzania lost their opening match at the Africa Cup. In Group F, they suffered an expected 3-0 defeat against Morocco. However, this is not the reason why head coach Adel Amrouche had to leave the team – after all, they had already lost 2-0 to the Lions of the Atlas in the World Cup qualifiers
Instead, the Algerian was so outspoken in an interview after the game that even the African Football Association took up the matter with the 55-year-old. Amrouche had claimed that Morocco, as a power in African soccer, could influence the association.
His statements began with the fact that Tanzania had been forced to play in the evening, although they had wanted to play in the early afternoon, and went so far as to say that Morocco had long been influencing decisions in the highest circles of the African Football Association. According to him, the Moroccan association could even choose the referees for its own matches, among other things.
Eight-match ban, fine, dismissal
The consequence: On Friday, the CAF imposed an eight-match ban on Amrouche and also fined the coach. The Tanzania Football Association responded to this sanction by dismissing him.
Amrouche had only taken over Taifa Stars in March. The Algerian had previously worked for numerous other African national teams. The association has appointed Hemed Morocco as his successor, who will be assisted by Juma Mgunda.
Tanzania will continue their Group F campaign on Sunday (6pm). They will then face Zambia, who drew 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo in the opener. The final match of the group against the DR Congo will follow the following Wednesday (9 p.m.).
