Tanzania 0-1 Niger Player Ratings: Daniel Sosah 8/10 Rated as Sosah's Strike Secures a Narrow 1-0 Victory for Niger

Niger snatched a vital 1-0 victory against Tanzania in a tense CAF World Cup Qualifiers encounter. This close encounter was held at the Amaan Stadium, was a cagey affair decided by a single moment of quality. From our perspective, it was a game of grit rather than glamour. Both teams struggled to create clear opportunities for much of the contest. The breakthrough came just before the hour mark. Daniel Sosah found the back of the net for Niger with a well-taken strike. It was a clinical finish that ultimately separated the two sides. What stood out to us was the determination Niger showed, especially after going a man down.

The drama escalated when Abdoulaye Boureima Katkoré received his second yellow card, leaving Niger with ten men for the final stretch. Despite having the numerical advantage, Tanzania couldn't find a way through. Their attack lacked the cutting edge needed to break down a resolute Niger defense. This match will be remembered for Niger's disciplined rear-guard action to secure the win. Here are the Tanzania vs Niger player ratings.

Tanzania Player Ratings vs Niger

Here are the Tanzania player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Yakoub Suleiman Ali - 6.0: Beaten for the goal but couldn't have done much about Sosah's finish. From our perspective, he had a relatively quiet game otherwise. He wasn't forced into many spectacular saves throughout the 90 minutes. His distribution was average, doing the simple things right. It's a tough one to judge when your team concedes only once from a well-placed shot.

Defenders

Ibrahim Hamad - 6.0: He was part of a defensive unit that held firm for almost an hour. However, they were ultimately breached for the decisive goal. We noticed he struggled to contain the movement on his side at times. A fairly standard, if unspectacular, performance from the defender who played the full game.

Dickson Job - 6.0: Similar to his defensive partner, Job was solid for large periods. He made a few important clearances but was part of the backline that switched off for the goal. He seemed committed but couldn't organize the defense to prevent the key moment. An okay performance, but one he'll feel he could have done more in.

Mohamed Hussein - 6.0: The defender had a difficult evening. He didn't offer much of an outlet going forward and was substituted shortly after Niger scored. He seemed to be struggling to make an impact on the game. His withdrawal was a clear sign the manager wanted a different approach to get back into the match.

Shomari Kapombe - 6.5: One of Tanzania's better performers on a disappointing night. He was defensively sound for the most part and tried to get forward to support the attack. What stood out was his work rate, as he covered a lot of ground. However, his final ball often lacked the quality needed to create a clear chance.

Midfielders

Feisal Salum - 6.0: The midfielder was largely anonymous and struggled to get a foothold in the game. He was bypassed in the midfield battle and couldn't dictate the tempo for his team. We felt he was a passenger for large spells. It was no surprise to see him substituted in the second half as Tanzania searched for an equalizer.

Novatus Miroshi - 6.5: Tried his best to drive Tanzania forward from the middle of the park. He showed some flashes of quality and was willing to take players on. From our perspective, he was one of the few who looked capable of making something happen. Unfortunately, he lacked support from his fellow midfielders and attackers.

Mudathir Yahya - 6.0: A very short and uneventful outing for the midfielder. He was substituted just before halftime, having made very little impact on proceedings. We were a bit surprised by the early change, but he clearly wasn't influencing the game as the manager would have wanted. Hard to give a higher rating for just 42 minutes of play.

Forwards

Iddy Seleman Nado - 6.0: Just like his midfield teammate Yahya, Nado was hooked before halftime. He barely had a sniff of goal and was isolated on the wing. He worked hard off the ball but couldn't get into dangerous positions. The tactical switch showed that things weren't working for Tanzania's attack in the first half.

Clement Mzize - 6.0: A thankless task for the striker who played the full 90 minutes. He was starved of service and had to feed off scraps all game. He showed good effort and held the ball up when he could, but the Niger defense marshaled him well. He never really had a clear sight of goal.

Ally Samatta - 5.5: A very disappointing performance from the captain and star player. He was completely ineffective and looked like a shadow of his usual self. He couldn't find space, his touch was off, and he offered no threat whatsoever. His substitution felt inevitable as he just wasn't in the game at all.

Substitutes

Yusuph Kagoma - 6.0: Came on late in the first half but couldn't change the game's flow.

Abdul Sopu - 6.0: Brought on to add fresh legs to the attack but had little impact.

Simon Msuva - 6.0: Replaced the ineffective Samatta but fared no better.

Yahya Omary - 5.5: Came on and picked up a yellow card, doing little else.

Manager

H. Suleiman - 5.5: His team looked devoid of ideas in attack. While his substitutions were proactive, they failed to make a difference. What was most disappointing from our perspective was the inability to create chances against a 10-man opposition for the final 15 minutes. A poor day at the office for the manager.

Niger Player Ratings vs Tanzania

Here are the Niger player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mahamadou Tanja - 7.0: A clean sheet is a great reward for a solid performance. He wasn't tested too often but showed confidence when claiming crosses and organizing his defense. He commanded his area well, especially during the frantic final minutes. A reliable presence between the sticks for Niger.

Defenders

Rahim Alhassane - 7.0: A really solid defensive display from the left-back. He kept his winger quiet and was diligent in his duties throughout the match. He played a key role in that crucial clean sheet. He didn't get forward much, but his defensive contribution was exactly what was needed on the day.

Oumar Sako - 6.0: His game was cut short by a substitution after just 35 minutes. It's unclear if this was due to injury or a tactical switch. In his time on the pitch, he looked steady enough. It's difficult to give a comprehensive rating for such a brief appearance.

Issa Djibrilla - 7.5: A fantastic performance from the defender. Not only was he solid at the back, but he also provided the crucial assist for the winning goal. His delivery for Sosah was perfect. He was a constant outlet and his contribution was arguably as important as the goal itself. A superb all-round game.

Abdoulaye Boureima Katkoré - 4.0: A night to forget for the defender. He let his team down badly by getting sent off for two bookable offenses. His second yellow in the 79th minute was reckless and put his teammates under immense pressure. They bailed him out, but it was a moment of madness that could have cost his team the three points.

Midfielders

Youssouf Oumarou - 7.0: The captain led by example in the heart of midfield. He was combative, energetic, and worked tirelessly for the cause. His leadership was particularly evident after his team went down to 10 men. He broke up play effectively and kept his team organized under pressure. A true captain's display.

Ousseni Badamassi - 6.5: Put in a good shift in the middle of the park before being substituted late on. He was energetic and helped Niger win the midfield battle for large parts of the game. He picked up a yellow card for his troubles, showing his commitment to the physical side of the game. A solid, disciplined performance.

Ali Mohamed - 6.5: Partnered Oumarou and Badamassi well in midfield. He was neat and tidy in possession and worked hard defensively. He helped his team maintain their shape and control before being taken off for fresh legs. A disciplined and effective performance from the midfielder.

Forwards

Camara Aboubacar - 6.5: He didn't get on the scoresheet, but his work rate was impressive. He ran the channels, pressed the Tanzanian defense, and was a general nuisance. His movement helped create space for others. A selfless performance that contributed to the team's overall success.

Daniel Sosah - 8.0: The undisputed man of the match. His finish for the goal was clinical and composed, the one true moment of quality in the entire game. He was the difference-maker. Beyond the goal, he worked hard and held the ball up well. A brilliant and decisive performance, making him our highest-rated player.

Boubacar Goumey - 6.5: Provided good support in attack and tracked back well to help his defense. He was a willing runner and played his part in Niger's disciplined team structure. While he didn't have any major goalscoring chances, his contribution to the team's shape and effort was valuable.

Substitutes

Mohamed Abdouramane - 6.5: Came on early for Sako and slotted in well at the back.

Philippe Boueye - N/A: Came on late to help see out the game.

Amadou Sabo - N/A: A late substitution to waste time and add fresh legs.

Harouna Ibrahim - N/A: Brought on in stoppage time.

Manager

B. Zaki - 7.5: His game plan worked to perfection. He set his team up to be defensively solid and to take their chance when it came. What impressed us most was how his team responded to going down to 10 men. They showed incredible resolve and organization to hold on for a massive away win. A tactical masterclass.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Daniel Sosah