Its official, there will be a Nigerian coach at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2019) taking place in Egypt in three months, but not the coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Former Nigeria player and 1994 CAF Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amunike makes history as he qualified the Taifa Stars of Tanzania to their first AFCON in 39 years (since 1980).

The east African nation stunned Group L leaders Uganda to an emphatic 3-0 victory in Dar es Salaam on Sunday to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time since 1980.

Lesotho drew 0-0 in Cape Verde which confirmed Tanzania’s qualification as runners-up to Uganda in the group.

It means four East African teams – Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Kenya – will play at the AFCON finals in Egypt.

Uganda went into the derby in Tanzania having not conceded a single goal during their entire 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Cup qualifying campaign.

The record ended emphatically in Dar es Salaam in their sixth and final group fixture with Simon Msuva beating Denis Onyango in Uganda’s goal in the 21st minute.

Experienced Erasto Nyoni added a second after the break with Aggrey Morris making it 3-0 to Tanzania on a memorable day for the hosts.

Despite the comfortable scoreline, it was still a nervous end to to the match as Tanzania’s fans and players anxiously monitored news from Praia where – if Lesotho had won – their dream of qualifying would have ended.

The Tanzanian government has promised a handsome reward to Amunike and his team on qualification for the AFCON which kicks off in June 15th to July 13th.

 

24 Qualified Teams For Egypt 2019:

Senegal

Madagascar

Morocco

 Cameroon

 Mali

Burundi

Algeria

Benin

Nigeria

Ghana

Kenya

Zimbabwe

DR Congo

Cote d’Ivoire

Guinea

Angola

Mauritania

Tunisia

Egypt

Guinea

Bissau

Mozambique

Uganda

Tanzania

South Africa

 

Anthony Nlebem
@AnthonyNlebem