With exactly one year until the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 kicks off, Tanzania's Taifa Stars midfielder Feisal Salum has spoken exclusively to CAFOnline.com about what the tournament means for his country — and for East African football as a whole.

Tanzania will co-host the competition alongside Kenya and Uganda, and Salum made clear that the weight of that honour is felt deeply within the squad.

A historic opportunity for East Africa

"It was an extraordinary moment for the country and for us as players," Salum said of the co-hosting announcement. "We want to use this opportunity to show the world what Tanzania is capable of. Our goal is to make the nation proud and build on what we showed at the last AFCON."

Salum acknowledged that staging a tournament of this scale brings enormous pressure, but insisted the squad intends to channel it positively. "Our approach is to turn pressure into enjoyment," he explained. "We must use the passion and support around us to push ourselves beyond our limits — reach the semi-finals and, why not, dream of lifting the trophy."

Building on Morocco's lessons

Tanzania's performance at the most recent TotalEnergies CAF AFCON in Morocco drew widespread praise, and Salum believes that experience has hardened the squad's ambition. "In Morocco, we surprised many people, but it was our supporters who carried us to those heights," he said. "This time, with the tournament at home, we want to aim even higher. Winning the title is in God's hands — but one thing is certain: we will give everything we have."

Brotherly battles on the pitch

The 2027 edition carries the banner of PAMOJA — a Swahili word meaning togetherness — and Salum offered a candid take on what sharing hosting duties with Kenya and Uganda really feels like. "It's a bit of both," he said, referring to the mix of pride and rivalry. "This unity gives us strength and brings support from governments and people across the region."

Yet he was equally honest about the competitive edge that exists when these neighbours meet. "If we face Kenya, it will be a huge occasion — a true brotherly battle. But it is a healthy rivalry, one that exists for the love of football and to give supporters a great spectacle."

Dreams of facing the continent's giants

When asked which opponent he would most love to defeat at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Salum did not hesitate. "I would love to face Morocco, Senegal, or Côte d'Ivoire," he said. "To play against those teams at home in front of our supporters would be magical. Those are the kinds of matches every footballer dreams about."

A message to the continent

Salum closed with an open invitation to fans across Africa. "AFCON is the pinnacle of football on the continent. By opening our doors to Africa, we want to tell our story and share our culture and hospitality," he said. "Come out in large numbers — not only for the matches, but even for the training sessions. Together, hand in hand, we will make it unforgettable."