Tanzania kept alive their dreams of qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast after edging out Niger 1-0 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday.

After a drab first half which produced no goals, Taifa Stars under head coach Adel Amrouche finally broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Simon Msuva drilled home the all-important goal against the visiting side.

Tanzania started off the stronger side with the backing of the supporters as Mudathir Yahya almost found the opener in the fifth minute but saw his shot blocked by the keeper. Knowing that an early goal would help settle the nerves, the Taifa Stars kept piling on the pressure in search of the opener but found a very stubborn Niger side who held their ground.

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It was only later in the second half that the hosts were eventually rewarded for their unwavering efforts when Msuva found the all-important goal to send the home supporters into a frenzy. Msuva, received a timely assist from left-back Novatus Dismas, who dribbled through two Niger defenders before releasing a sweet pass.

The outcome, coupled with Algeria’s 2-1 victory against Uganda in the other Group F contest at Japoma Stadium, Douala, Cameroon, breathed back life into Taifa Stars’ chances of making it to Ivory Coast as they moved second with seven points.

Algeria, who have already qualified have 15 points, Uganda are third with four while Niger are last with two points. Tanzania will travel to face Algeria on September 4, hoping that Niger defeat Uganda for them to earn the ticket.