DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 13 -- TANZANIAS ambition for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) must go beyond hosting the tournament. The real challenge is building a Taifa Stars team capable of competing with Africas best. Hosting rights have secured our place at the finals, but they will not win us matches.

That responsibility rests with the team, and preparations must start now. Every international match between now and June 2027 must count. The upcoming qualifiers should be treated as preparation for the bigger challenge ahead, not routine fixtures.

Todays encounter against Nigeria is an important test. Playing away against one of Africas established football nations will expose our strengths and weaknesses, while testing the teams tactica...