Ngorongoro Heroes from Tanzania are set to face Burundi in the CECAFA U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers semifinal at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian team has made an impressive start to the tournament, scoring seven goals without conceding in their opening two matches. They began with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda and followed it with a 4-0 win over Ethiopia.
Despite the convincing results, head coach Mario Campesino believes his team must elevate their performance to overcome Burundi. Campesino noted that Ngorongoro Heroes were slow to start in their previous match against Ethiopia, taking 15 to 20 minutes to find their rhythm. He emphasized that such a slow start will not be tolerated in the semifinal against Burundi, a team that has also made a strong start to the tournament.
Campesino highlighted the strength of his team in coping with different situations during a match. He wants his players to be comfortable defending in various formations, pressing high, launching offensive transitions, and controlling possession when required. The coach pointed to moments when his team quickly turned defensive situations into decisive attacks against their previous opponents.
However, Campesino also identified areas for improvement, particularly in the buildup. He noted that some players occupied incorrect positions, leaving insufficient support and making it difficult to progress the ball cleanly. The coach remains patient with his young squad, stressing that mistakes are part of the development process.
Burundi has emerged as a formidable semifinal opponent, qualifying for the last four after opening their campaign with a 4-0 victory over South Sudan and securing their second successive win by beating Kenya 2-0. Like Tanzania, Burundi has reached the semifinal without conceding a goal, setting up a meeting between two defensively disciplined and attacking efficient teams.
The statistics make the encounter intriguing, but Campesino knows that past performances will count for little once the teams step onto the pitch. He emphasized that his team can still improve and must do better to win the semifinal. The coach is focused on correcting weaknesses and building on the team's strengths to achieve success.
The semifinal match between Tanzania and Burundi promises to be a closely contested encounter. Both teams have demonstrated defensive solidity and attacking prowess, making it difficult to predict the outcome. The winner will progress to the next stage of the CECAFA U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Key points
- Tanzania's head coach Mario Campesino warns against a slow start in the semifinal against Burundi.
- Burundi has also made a strong start to the tournament, reaching the semifinal without conceding a goal.
- The semifinal match will be played at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
