Simon Msuva believes that Tanzania's Taifa Stars has gained enough experience to shake at least two of the less-fancied teams in Group F, which has favourites Morocco, DR Congo and Zambia.
Tanzania is the only country from the CECAFA region that will take part in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast early next year.
The Swahili nation squeezed through a group that had Africa’s number-four Algeria, Niger and neighbours Uganda to book their slot.
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Despite the poor results, Byekwaso says that the team has noted some areas that can be worked on ahead of November's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
They will enter the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as the lowest-ranked team by FIFA at 122.
Nevertheless, their key striker, Simon Msuva, believes that the team has gained enough experience to shake at least two of the less-fancied teams in their Group F.
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They have favourites Morocco, DR Congo and Zambia.
"We have already gained experience in this competition and we are aware of the strength of these two teams we've played before," the striker told CAF, referring to DR Congo and Zambia, who are both former champions.
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The two sides come into the game at the back of identical 1-0 losses, Zambia to Egypt and Uganda to Mali, and hoping for an improved show.
DR Congo has appeared at the finals 19 times, winning it twice in 1968 and 1974.
They did not qualify for the Cameroon 2021 edition but finished third in 2015, reached the quarterfinal and round of 16 in Gabon 2017 and 2019 in Egypt
Zambia have appeared 19 times as well, winning it in 2012 but has been absent since two consecutive group stage disappointments in 2013 and 2015.
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The coach was appointed on a monthlong agreement with his main job to guide the team through the two friendly matches against Mali and Zambia.
Msuva is not moved by the records, insisting that they can cause some upsets at the finals.
"The important thing is for us to go and fight hard. Even those nations seen as African football giants started like us. We are now going up and I'm sure we will shock them,” he added
The Tanzanians have reached the Africa Cup of Nations only twice, in 1980 and 2019, ending in the groups in both.