DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania and Cote d'Ivoire on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in sports development, a statement by the Tanzanian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports said on Friday.

       The statement said the MoU was signed between Tanzanian Minister of Culture, Arts and Sports Damas Ndumbaro and Ivorian Minister of Sports Adje Silas Metch in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Cote d'Ivoire.

       Ndumbaro is in Cote d'Ivoire for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, which started on Jan. 13 and is scheduled to end on Feb. 11, where Tanzania's national football team -- Taifa Stars -- was knocked out of group stages on Wednesday.

       According to the statement, the MoU also aims to identify and develop young talents in various sports, including football.

       Ndumbaro thanked Cote d'Ivoire for hosting the 2023 AFCON finals, saying Tanzania, which will co-host the 2027 AFCON finals with Kenya and Uganda, has learned a lot from the ongoing AFCON finals in the western African country.