AFCON: Feisal Salum is optimistic and ready to face Nigeria! | OneFootball

AFCON: Feisal Salum is optimistic and ready to face Nigeria!

As Tanzania prepares for their fourth Africa Cup of Nations appearance in Morocco 2025, a quiet confidence is brewing within the camp, fuelled by a recent baptism of fire. According to midfield maestro Feisal Salum, the Taifa Stars are channeling the momentum and hardened spirit forged in the demanding arena of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

In an exclusive interview with CAFonline, the Azam FC playmaker explained that the crucible of CHAN provided the ideal preparatory ground. “Everyone is really motivated after what we did in CHAN,” Salum revealed. “Those were very tough matches, almost similar to AFCON in intensity.” He acknowledges the challenge will be greater, facing Africa’s elite global stars, but insists the squad has developed an unshakeable belief and a combative identity from their previous campaign.

The midfielder emphasized that competing in such high-stakes environments has fortified the team's resilience and self-assurance ahead of the continental showcase. Learning from past experiences is also central to their new-found maturity. Reflecting on Tanzania's previous AFCON outing in Côte d’Ivoire, Salum pointed to crucial takeaways in discipline and consistency.

“We have learnt a lot especially from Ivory Coast last time out,” he stated. “We need to give 100 percent in every game, there is very little room for mistakes and you must play with the highest standards of discipline.”

Armed with these hard-earned lessons and a clear objective, the team believes they are poised for a stronger showing. “With these lessons, we want to do better,” Salum affirmed, “and there is confidence in the group that we can achieve our minimum target.” With a robust squad and the experienced guidance of coach Gamondi, Tanzania believes it has the perfect recipe to turn belief into tangible success on the AFCON stage.