EAST AFRICAN RIVALS BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL

Cairo, EGYPT

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars and Kenya’s Harambee Stars will renew their rivalry when they lock horns in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash at 30 June Stadium in Cairo on today evening.

Taifa Stars players in preparation

Kick-off is at 10pm CAT (11pm EAT).

The East African rivals suffered defeat to Algeria and Senegal respectively over the past weekend, and will thus be eager to bounce back to winning ways in an aim to keep their hopes of reaching he knockout stages alive.

Tanzania suffered a 2-0 defeat to tournament favourites Senegal in their first Afcon encounter in 39 years. Keita Baldé and Krépin Diatta were on target for the Lions of Teranga who were dominant from start to finish in the Egyptian capital.

Head coach Emmanuel Amuneke eluded to as much in his post-match press conference, but the former Nigeria international and Afcon champion is hopeful that his side will show improvement in their next two group matches.

“In this kind of tournament, experience matters a lot," said Amuneke. "Some of our players were nervous. We made a lot of mistakes, especially in the first half. The Senegal players dominated the midfield.

“Senegal are experienced having played at the World Cup as well. The majority of our players play in the Tanzania league but I know and believe that we can get better.”

Kenya fell to defeat by the same scoreline at the hands of a rejuvenated Algerian outfit. Baghdad Bounedjah and Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez were on target for the Dessert Foxes before the break.

Kenya improved in the second half, but ultimately came up short in their first Afcon match in 15 years.

Harambee Stars head coach Sebastian Migne will expect more from his troops against their East African counterparts, as they aim to keep their knockout stage ambitions afloat.

“I choose to remain optimistic for our next match," said Migne. "I will make a few changes in the team. I need to decide who will start and who will come in as a substitute.

“Fight to the end. It will be like a final. We surely need to make history and win a vital group match. When Kenya defeated Burkina Faso [3-0] in their final group match in 2004, it was inconsequential.

“If we play like we did in the second half [against Algeria], then we will have a good game. Probably we were afraid. It was difficult. We need to fight as a team," he concluded.

Kenya currently occupy 105th spot in the latest Fifa World Rankings, while Tanzania headed into the tournament in 131st place.