Taifa Stars coach on how CHAN 2024 can be won by one of Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda.
Tanzania coach Juma Mgunde has highlighted the three elements Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania need to implement to ensure that the African Nations Championship trophy remains on home soil.
The three East African countries will co-host the biennial tournament in August following the draw conducted in January 15, Nairobi.
Pulse Sports takes a look at the factors the Taifa Stars coach thinks are crucial to achieving success.
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1. Favourable draw
While pundits and stakeholders alike say Kenya are in the ‘Group of Death’ in pool ‘A’, Mgunda thinks all the three nations have an upper hand in their respective groups. “I can say confidently that all the three countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) are in good groups and there’s nothing to worry about.”
Harambee Stars interim coach Francis Kimanzi has been very particular in wanting his players to harness one trait if they are to defy the odds in group A of the 2024 CHAN group of death.
2. Adequate time for preparation
Juma Mgunda believes that rescheduling the tournament from February to August is a blessing in disguise. This, he said, gives room to fine-tune preparation and hand the region an upper hand in the title chase.
“The most important thing now is the preparation after we have all known our opponents. There’s enough time for preparation now that the tournament is rescheduled for August,” Juma Mgunda reiterated.
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Here is all you need to know about Morocco, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia who will face Kenya in Group A at CHAN 2024.
2. Fans flocking stadia
The presence of the 12th man on the field will definitely be an advantage. A fully-packed 60,00-seater Kasarani Stadium will be scary for any opposition. The noise will not only intimidate the opponents, but will also subject them to surrender when it matters most and the home exploits that.
“Fans need to rally behind their teams since they are game-changers. The noise in the Stadium will destabilize the opponent,” Mgunda added.
On what CHAN means and hosting AFCON in 2027, Juma Mgunda stated: Let us show CAF that they made the right decision by giving East Africa the rights to stage the tournament. Because we will still be hosting AFCON in 2027, this tournament should be a precursor of what to expect in 2027.
“AFCON is a global renowned tourney because statistically, 3.5 billion people watched the last edition of the tournament so it is a tourney that deserves utmost respect and attention. We have to show them that we have the capacity to host CHAN first.”
Kenya is in group ‘A’ alongside Morocco, Zambia, Angola and DR Congo. Uganda headline Group ‘C’ alongside Guinea and Niger and two other opponents yet to be confirmed. Tanzania on the other hand, are in pool ‘B’ that contains Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Central Africa Republic.
