Tanzania Coach Expresses Concerns Over Morocco’s Cool Weather

As the Taifa Stars of Tanzania prepare for their AFCON 2025 opening fixture against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Tuesday, head coach Miguel Gamondi has conceded that the cooler weather conditions in Morocco are impacting some of his players.

Tanzania will contest their Group C matches in Fes, where they are also scheduled to face 2004 AFCON champions Tunisia and Uganda. The prevailing weather across the tournament’s host cities presents a notable challenge for many participating teams.

While most host cities experience mild temperatures, ranging from 15-20°C (59-68°F) during the day with cooler nights, Fes, where the Super Eagles will play their preliminary encounters, is particularly chilly. Daytime highs hover around 14°C (57°F), plummeting to approximately 6°C (43°F) at night. Other cities like Rabat and Casablanca see daytime highs around 18°C (64°F), with Tangier slightly cooler at 15°C (59°F). Marrakech and Agadir offer milder conditions, reaching 20°C (68°F) and 22°C (72°F) respectively.

Speaking after his team’s training session at the Academic Mohammed VI facility in Rabat, Gamondi acknowledged that some of his squad are struggling to adapt to the climate. However, the Argentine coach remained resolute, asserting that his team has no alternative but to adjust.

“It’s not an insurmountable problem because the weather is the same for every team,” Gamondi stated. “It’s true that we are more accustomed to hotter and warmer temperatures, and some players are suffering a little from the cold, but we simply need to adapt. Even in Cairo [during their training camp], it was cold, but it’s not an excuse; it’s part of the job.”

Regarding his team’s preparations for their opening match against the Super Eagles, he added: “Our preparation has been excellent; the facilities here are superb. We are working diligently to prepare the team in the best possible manner. The spirit in the camp is very positive; we are very happy and excited to represent Tanzania at this Africa Cup of Nations.”

This encounter will mark only the second time Tanzania has faced the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations. Their previous meeting was in the opening match of the 1980 edition, which they lost 3-1.