Dar es Salaam – On a night when history called, Clement Francis Mzize answered.
The 21-year-old striker delivered a performance that carried Tanzania into the knockout rounds of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time, scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Madagascar at a raucous Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
It wasn’t just goals that set Mzize apart. His energy, movement, and composure made him the heartbeat of a Taifa Stars side playing with belief and purpose. By the final whistle, the chants of 60,000 fans left no doubt: Tanzania had found its new hero.
“I thank God for everything,” said Mzize afterwards. “What I’ve achieved in this tournament is a big thing. The fans expect a lot from me, and I will always fight to give my all for the national team.”
The striker’s rise is also a story of mentorship. Coach Hemed Suleiman, who handed him his first call-up, described him as “like a son”. He recalled telling Mzize during his early development: “You won’t be riding a bike in the future, you’ll be driving a luxury car.” That vision now feels prophetic, as the young forward transforms potential into production.
For Tanzania, the timing could not be better. They face defending champions Morocco in the quarter-finals, a daunting task against one of CHAN’s most experienced sides. But with Mzize in form and the home crowd behind them, belief is building that the Taifa Stars can push further into uncharted territory.
Whatever the result, Mzize has already become more than a goalscorer—he’s the symbol of a team and a nation daring to dream on the continental stage