Ethiopia Vs Tanzania

As the race for qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) intensifies, Ethiopia and Tanzania prepare to face off in a high-stakes encounter at Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte. With both teams eager to keep their hopes of advancing to the tournament alive, this match could be pivotal in shaping the final standings of Group F.

Ethiopia, rooted at the bottom of the table with a solitary point from four games, are in desperate need of a win to reignite their slim qualification chances. Meanwhile, Tanzania sits in third place with four points and will be looking to secure a crucial victory to bolster their position in the group.

Ethiopia's qualification campaign for the 2025 AFCON has been fraught with challenges. After opening their journey with a goalless draw against Tanzania, the Walia Ibex have suffered three successive defeats. These losses include a 2-0 setback against Congo DR, followed by a harrowing double-header against Guinea that ended in 4-1 and 3-0 losses, respectively.

The poor run of results has left Ethiopia’s dream of an 11th AFCON appearance hanging by a thread. To remain in contention, Gebremedhin Haile’s side must win their final two group matches—starting with Tanzania—while relying on favorable outcomes in the other group fixtures.

This uphill battle is compounded by Ethiopia's lack of recent success in competitive matches. The team has failed to secure a win in their last nine outings, recording four draws and five losses. Despite these setbacks, the Walia Ibex can draw inspiration from their head-to-head record against Tanzania. Ethiopia remains unbeaten in their previous four encounters, securing two wins and two draws. Notably, one of these victories came via penalties during the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.

Tanzania entered the qualification series with optimism, starting with a 0-0 draw against Ethiopia and an impressive 2-1 victory over Guinea. However, their momentum faltered during last month's double-header against Congo DR, which ended in back-to-back losses.

Before these defeats, the Taifa Stars had enjoyed a five-match unbeaten streak, comprising three wins and two draws. Under the guidance of Hemed Suleiman, Tanzania will be eager to recapture that form as they seek to book their spot in the tournament in Morocco next year.

The Taifa Stars face a dual challenge: securing their first-ever win against Ethiopia and hoping that Congo DR defeats Guinea in the other group fixture. If these scenarios align, Tanzania could find themselves in a favorable position heading into their final match of the qualifiers.

Ethiopia’s struggles in the current qualifiers reflect deeper issues within the team. Despite a rich history that includes an AFCON title in 1962, the Walia Ibex have struggled to consistently perform on the continental stage. Their last AFCON appearance came in 2022, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Coach Gebremedhin Haile has faced criticism for his tactical approach, with Ethiopia's defensive frailties and lack of attacking edge being particularly glaring. The team has conceded nine goals in their last three matches while managing to score just once. Players like Getaneh Kebede, a stalwart in Ethiopian football, will need to step up if they are to salvage their qualification hopes.

One area of optimism lies in Ethiopia's historical dominance over Tanzania. The psychological advantage of an unbeaten record in their previous meetings could serve as a motivating factor for Haile's squad.

Tanzania’s qualification journey has been a tale of two halves. After a promising start, the Taifa Stars now find themselves in a precarious position. Coach Hemed Suleiman has emphasized the importance of rediscovering the team's earlier form, which saw them secure key wins and remain unbeaten for five matches.

The Taifa Stars boast a balanced squad with a mix of experienced players and emerging talents. Simon Msuva, known for his clinical finishing, and Lusajo Mwaikenda, a standout performer in their World Cup qualifiers, will be crucial to Tanzania’s attacking efforts. Defensively, however, the team needs to address the lapses that saw them concede multiple goals against Congo DR.

Tanzania’s ability to perform on the road will also be tested. Although they enjoyed a strong away record prior to last month—winning four and drawing one of their last five away matches—their recent defeats highlight the need for improved focus and resilience.