Having missed the first seven editions, the Wild Beasts achieved their first qualification for the tournament by defeating Cameroon in the qualifiers.
They aim for success in their debut appearance, but first, they must navigate a tough Group B that includes co-hosts Tanzania, along with Madagascar, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso.
Despite the challenging fixtures ahead, the midfielder remains undeterred, stating that his team aspires to be the tournament's surprise package.
"After a long wait, we are thrilled to finally qualify for this tournament. Many doubted us, especially when we were about to face Cameroon in the qualifiers. But we proved them wrong," Tchibinda shared with Flashscore.
"This is our first time participating in CHAN, and we want to make it count. No one expects much from us, which gives us the opportunity to surprise everyone.
"We have trained diligently, prepared thoroughly, and we are united as a team. All my teammates understand how significant this is for our country.
"It’s more than just a game; it’s about pride and demonstrating to the world that football in the Central African Republic has a bright future.
"We are ready to give our all on the field and make our people proud. This is our moment, and we want to seize it."
The Central African Republic will compete against Burkina Faso in their first match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, and a win against the Stallions would set the stage for their quest to reach the quarter-finals.
When asked about his team’s prospects against the more seasoned West Africans, Tchibinda stated they prefer to let their on-field performance speak for itself, rather than making empty promises.
"We will approach this match like every other game we’ve played, giving it our all and striving for the result we desire," he continued.
"Many view us as the underdogs, and that actually plays to our advantage. There’s less pressure, allowing us the chance to surprise everyone.
"We recognize that Burkina Faso is a strong team with considerable experience, having participated in the CHAN tournament over three times. However, this is football, where anything can happen.
"What matters most is our performance on the day. We’re not interested in making grand statements or promises; instead, we’ll let our actions on the field do the talking.
"We have respect for our opponents, but we believe in our team and the effort we’ve put in to reach this point. We’re ready to fight for a victory and make our country proud."
CAR head coach Sebastien Ngato emphasized that his team hasn’t come to East Africa for a mere adventure, firmly rejecting any notion that they would be daunted by the occasion.
"We are not here by chance," Ngato informed reporters at the pre-match press conference.
"This is not an adventure. We’ve been working with this group of players since 2021. They know each other well and understand the mission.
"We know people talk because we’re newcomers. But we’re here to play football with confidence and respect. Every team at this level deserves recognition - including us."
He added: "We prepared seriously for this moment. The odds are 50-50. We’ll fight to achieve the result we want.
"We’ve trained hard, we’re ready, and we’re determined to make a statement. It’s our first time, but we’ll strive for a respectable outcome. That’s on us."
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