Tanzania opened the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso

The Tanzanian national team opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso in a Group B match at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday morning (IST).

Tanzania won the match thanks to goals scored by Abdul Hamisi Suleiman and Mohamed Hussein, according to Africa Nations Championship records.

This victory puts Tanzania in first place in Group B of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations standings with three points, while Burkina Faso are bottom with none.

Statistically, Tanzania dominated Burkina Faso, with 61 percent possession and 19 shots, eight of which were on target.

Tanzania attacked from the outset and had an opportunity through Iddy Nado, but failed to find the target.

Hemed Suleiman’s team created another chance through Feisal Salum’s shot, but it was saved by Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper, Ladji Brahima Sanou.

Burkina Faso threatened to turn the game around with a shot from outside the penalty box by Papus Outtara, but the ball was saved by Tanzanian goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman.

Tanzania then put more pressure on Burkina Faso’s defence and had a golden opportunity when striker Clément Mzizi was fouled by Franck Tolo in the penalty box.

Abdul Hamisi Suleiman stepped up to take the penalty and successfully scored, as Ladji Sanou could not stop the kick, bringing the score to 1-0 to Tanzania in the 45+3 minute.

At the start of the second half, Tanzania continued to play an attacking game, with Ibrahim Hamad and Feisal Salim posing several threats, though none of them produced any results.

Burkina Faso didn’t sit back, creating an opportunity through Yves Koutiama’s shot from outside the Tanzanian penalty box. However, the ball was blocked by the home defence.

Tanzania doubled their lead to 2–0 in the 71^(st) minute when Mohamed Hussein headed in a pass from Mudathir Yahya.

Burkina Faso continued to try to reduce the deficit in the remaining time, but the match ended with Tanzania winning 2-0.

In the next match of Group B of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania is scheduled to face Mauritania on Thursday (8/7) at 22:30 IST, while Burkina Faso will meet the Central African Republic on Wednesday (7/8) at 19:30 IST.