Tanzania’s 44-year dream of securing their first Africa Cup of Nations victory was shattered as 10-man Zambia secured a late 1-1 Group F draw in San-Pedro on Sunday.
Simon Msuva gave Tanzania an early lead, but Zambia, despite the red-carding of captain Roderick Kabwe before half-time, equalized in the 88th minute through Patson Daka.
Earlier on Sunday, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo also ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving all four teams with a chance to qualify for the knockout stage.
Morocco has four points, DR Congo and Zambia have two each, and Tanzania has one, setting the stage for the final group matches on Wednesday in the Ivory Coast.
Tanzania was led by caretaker coach Hemed Suleiman after Adel Amrouche’s suspension by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and subsequent dismissal by the Tanzanian Football Federation.
CAF penalized the Algerian coach with an eight-match ban following his claim in a TV interview that Moroccan officials were influencing the appointment of match officials and kick-off times.
Both teams made three changes after disappointing debuts, with Tanzania falling 3-0 to Morocco, and Zambia narrowly escaping with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo.
Zambia, without a Cup of Nations win in eight matches since the 2012 final, faced a disappointing record. Tanzania, with one draw and six losses from three appearances at the African football showpiece, was the underdog.
Zambia began as favorites in the southwestern coastal city but soon trailed as Msuva scored for Tanzania. Zambia struggled, with captain Kabwe sent off just before half-time, but they found an equalizer through Daka in the 88th minute.
Zambian pressure eventually paid off, with Daka’s powerful near-post header from a corner securing the draw, leaving Tanzanian hopes dashed.
Ada Peter
