Tanzania national football team

Summary

The Tanzania national football team (Swahili: Timu ya Taifa ya Mpira wa Miguu ya Tanzania) represents Tanzania in men's international football and is controlled by the Tanzania Football Federation, the governing body for football in Tanzania, Tanzania's home ground is Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam and their head coach is Adel Amrouche from Algeria. They are colloquially known as the Taifa Stars. Tanzania has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Before uniting with Zanzibar, the team played as the Tanganyika national football team, The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Tanzania
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Taifa Stars
AssociationTanzania Football Federation (TFF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachHemed Morocco (interim)
CaptainMbwana Samatta
Most capsErasto Nyoni (107)
Top scorerMrisho Ngasa (25)
Home stadiumNational Stadium
FIFA codeTAN
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 119 Increase 2 (15 February 2024)[1]
Highest65 (February 1995)
Lowest175 (October–November 2005)
First international
 Uganda 7–0 Tanganyika 
(Uganda; Date Unknown 1945)
as Tanzania
 Tanzania 1–1 Kenya 
(Tanzania; 1 March 1969)
Biggest win
 Tanzania 7–0 Somalia 
(Jinja, Uganda; 1 December 1995)
 Somalia 0–7 Tanzania 
(Kampala, Uganda; 1 December 2012)
Biggest defeat
 Tanganyika 0–9 Kenya 
(Tanganyika; Date Unknown 1956)
as Tanzania
 Saudi Arabia 8–0 Tanzania 
(Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 11 September 1998)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances3 (first in 1980)
Best resultGroup stage (1980, 2019, 2023)

The island of Zanzibar, part of Tanzania (and once an independent nation), is also an associate member of CAF and has played matches with other nations, but is not eligible to enter the World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations. See Zanzibar national football team.

Tanzania is currently ranked 121st in the FIFA World Rankings.[3]

History edit

Since qualifying for the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania endured nearly 40 years without major success, struggling in both African and World Cup qualifiers. Their best effort was in 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, where the Taifa Stars defeated Burkina Faso twice and only finished three points behind group winners Senegal. In 2010 Tanzania won the CECAFA Cup for the third time.[citation needed]

A recent achievement was a 1–0 win against South Africa in the 2017 COSAFA Cup Quarter-finals. But afterwards, Tanzania lost the Semi-finals 2–4 to Zambia. Then, in the Third-place playoff, Tanzania managed to win the match against Lesotho 4–2 in a penalty shootout after the extra time ended in a goalless draw. This Third place was considered Tanzania's biggest football achievement in many years.[citation needed]

On 24 March 2019, Tanzania beat East African rivals Uganda 3–0 to reach the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 39 years. At the Finals the Taifa Stars, being the weakest team in the group, lost all three Group C matches, as predicted. A few months later, Tanzania qualified for the African Nations Championship for only the second time, as well as defeating Burundi in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.[citation needed]

Coaching staff edit

Head coach   Hemed Morocco
Assistant coach   Juma Mgunda
Assistant coach   Hemed Suleiman Ali
Assistant coach   Dr. Carolin Braun
Goalkeeper coach   Osama Al-Hamdan
Physical coach   Mikael Mayoyo
Sports therapist   Joris De Vos
Head of medical   Lisobine Kisongo
Team manager   Reinhard

Results and fixtures edit

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023 edit

28 March 2023 AFCON qualification Tanzania   0–1   Uganda Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
20:00 UTC+3 Report
  • Mato   90+1'
Stadium: National Stadium
Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast)
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification Tanzania   1–0   Niger Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: National Stadium (Tanzania)
Referee: Mohamed Al Sayd (Egypt)
7 September 2023 AFCON qualification Algeria   0–0   Tanzania Annaba, Algeria
20:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: 19 May 1956 Stadium
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)
15 October Friendly Sudan   1–1   Tanzania Taif, Saudi Arabia
19:00 UTC+3
Report
  • Bajana  
Stadium: King Fahd Sports City
18 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Niger   0–1   Tanzania Marrakesh, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Attendance: 178
Referee: Lotfi Bekouassa (Algeria)
21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Tanzania   0–2   Morocco Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
19:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa (National Stadium)
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
27 December Friendly Zanzibar   0–0   Tanzania

2024 edit

7 January Friendly Egypt   2–0   Tanzania Cairo, Egypt
18:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Cairo International Stadium
Referee: Hashem Al-Ibrahim (Kuwait)
17 January 2023 AFCON GS Morocco   3–0   Tanzania San Pédro, Ivory Coast
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
21 January 2023 AFCON GS Zambia   1–1   Tanzania San Pédro, Ivory Coast
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
24 January 2023 AFCON GS Tanzania   0–0   DR Congo Korhogo, Ivory Coast
Stadium: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium
22 March 2024 FIFA World Series Tanzania   0–1   Bulgaria Baku, Azerbaijan
15:00 UTC+4 Report Despodov   52' Stadium: Dalga Arena
Attendance: 154
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan)
25 March 2024 FIFA World Series Tanzania   3–0   Mongolia Baku, Azerbaijan
17:00 UTC+4
Report Stadium: Dalga Arena
Attendance: 146
Referee: Elçin Məsiyev (Azerbaijan)

Coaches edit

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following 27 players were called up for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[9]

Caps and goals correct as of 7 January 2024, after the match against Egypt.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Kwesi Kawawa (2001-12-05) 5 December 2001 (age 22) 1 0   Karlslunds IF
13 1GK Beno David Kakolanya (1994-06-27) 27 June 1994 (age 29) 4 0   Singida Fountain Gate
18 1GK Aishi Manula (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 28) 60 0   Simba

2 2DF Haji Mnoga (2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 (age 21) 8 0   Aldershot Town
4 2DF Ibrahim Hamad (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 26) 8 0   Young Africans
5 2DF Dickson Job (2000-12-29) 29 December 2000 (age 23) 23 1   Young Africans
14 2DF Bakari Mwamnyeto (1995-10-05) 5 October 1995 (age 28) 37 0   Young Africans
15 2DF Mohamed Husseini (1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 (age 27) 38 0   Simba
16 2DF Lusajo Mwaikenda (2000-10-27) 27 October 2000 (age 23) 5 0   Azam
20 2DF Novatus Miroshi (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 (age 21) 18 2   Shakhtar Donetsk
24 2DF Abdi Banda (1995-05-20) 20 May 1995 (age 28) 20 0   Chippa United
25 2DF Abdulmalik Zakaria (1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Namungo
26 2DF Miano Danilo (2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Villena

3 3MF Mudathir Yahya (1996-05-06) 6 May 1996 (age 27) 28 0   Young Africans
6 3MF Feisal Salum (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 26) 33 2   Azam
7 3MF Himid Mao (1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 (age 31) 70 2   Ghazl El Mahalla
8 3MF Morice Abraham (2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 (age 20) 3 0   Spartak Subotica
11 3MF Tarryn Allarakhia (1997-11-17) 17 November 1997 (age 26) 1 0   Wealdstone
17 3MF Sospeter Bajana (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 27) 5 1   Azam
19 3MF Mzamiru Yassin (1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 28) 47 0   Simba

9 4FW Cyprian Kachwele (2005-02-15) 15 February 2005 (age 19) 0 0   Whitecaps 2
10 4FW Mbwana Samatta (captain) (1992-12-23) 23 December 1992 (age 31) 76 22   PAOK
12 4FW Simon Msuva (1993-10-02) 2 October 1993 (age 30) 88 21   JS Kabylie
21 4FW Charles M'Mombwa (1998-03-14) 14 March 1998 (age 26) 3 1   Macarthur FC
22 4FW Kibu Denis (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 (age 25) 17 0   Simba
23 4FW Ben Starkie (2002-07-23) 23 July 2002 (age 21) 3 0   Basford United
27 4FW Mohammed Sagaf (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 26) 1 0   Boreham Wood

Recent call-ups edit

The following players have been called up for Tanzania in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Metacha Mnata (1998-11-25) 25 November 1998 (age 25) 9 0   Young Africans 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
GK Zuberi Foba Masudi (2002-05-23) 23 May 2002 (age 21) 0 0   Azam v.   Niger, 18 June 2023

DF Kennedy Juma (1994-08-07) 7 August 1994 (age 29) 10 0   Simba 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Lameck Elias Lawi (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 23) 0 0   Coastal Union 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Ally Kibwana Shomari (2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 23) 7 0   Young Africans v.   Niger, 18 June 2023
DF Kheir Makame Jecha (1996-08-23) 23 August 1996 (age 27) 0 0   Kikosi Maalum Kuzuia Magendo v.   Niger, 18 June 2023
DF Datius Peter (1998-11-26) 26 November 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Kagera Sugar v.   Niger, 18 June 2023
DF Shomari Kapombe (1992-01-28) 28 January 1992 (age 32) 82 1   Simba v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF Charles Luhende (1989-01-21) 21 January 1989 (age 35) 5 0   Kagera Sugar v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF Abdallah Mfuko (1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 (age 31) 2 0   Kagera Sugar v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF Yahya Mbegu (2000-08-07) 7 August 2000 (age 23) 0 0   Polisi v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023

MF Ayoub Idrissa Bilali (2001-07-27) 27 July 2001 (age 22) 1 0   Goražde 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Adolf Bitegeko (1999-02-26) 26 February 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Völsungur 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Yusuph Kagoma (1996-02-01) 1 February 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Geita Gold 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Raphael Daudi (1996-11-09) 9 November 1996 (age 27) 7 0   Ihefu v.   Niger, 18 June 2023
MF Anuary Jabir (1996-11-08) 8 November 1996 (age 27) 3 0   Kagera Sugar v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Ally Msengi (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 (age 22) 1 0   Moroka Swallows v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Khalid Habibu (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 (age 22) 0 0   KMKM v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Edmund John (2002-12-04) 4 December 2002 (age 21) 0 0   Geita Gold v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Ramadhani Makame (1998-06-29) 29 June 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Bodrumspor v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023

FW Abdul Hamisi Suleiman (2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 (age 23) 7 0   Azam 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Said Khamis (2000-07-20) 20 July 2000 (age 23) 5 1   Jedinstvo Ub 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Raphael Bocco (1989-08-05) 5 August 1989 (age 34) 84 16   Simba v.   Algeria, 7 September 2023
FW George Tibar (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24) 1 0   Hatta v.   Niger, 18 June 2023
FW Bernard Kamungo (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 22) 0 0   FC Dallas v.   Niger, 18 June 2023
FW Kelvin John (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 (age 20) 6 0   Genk v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023
FW Alphonce Msanga (2003-06-14) 14 June 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Spartak Subotica v.   Uganda, 28 March 2023

DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player has retired from international football.
SUS Suspended from the national team.

Player records edit

As of 21 November 2023[10]
Players in bold are still active with Tanzania.

Most appearances edit

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Erasto Nyoni 107 7 2006–2021
2 Mrisho Ngassa 100 25 2006–2015
3 Kelvin Yondani 97 0 2008–2021
4 Simon Msuva 86 21 2012–present
5 Raphael Bocco 84 16 2009–present
6 Shomari Kapombe 82 1 2011–present
7 Juma Kaseja 79 0 2002–2021
8 Mbwana Samatta 75 22 2011–present
9 Himid Mao 69 2 2013–present
10 Shaban Nditi 62 2 2002–2012

Top goalscorers edit

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Mrisho Ngassa 25 100 0.25 2006–2015
2 Mbwana Samatta 22 75 0.29 2011–present
3 Simon Msuva 22 86 0.24 2012–present
4 Raphael Bocco 16 84 0.19 2009–present
5 John Nteze Lungu 12 22 0.55 1992–2002
6 Jerson Tegete 8 28 0.29 2006–2011
Danny Mrwanda 8 34 0.24 2005–2011
8 Mohamed Rajab 7 20 0.35 2002–2011
Thomas Ulimwengu 7 51 0.14 2010–2021
Erasto Nyoni 7 107 0.07 2006–2021

Competitive record edit

World Cup record edit

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L F A Pld W D L F A
1930 to 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1966 and 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
  1974 Did not qualify 3 0 2 1 1 4
  1978 Withdrew Withdrew
  1982 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 7 6
  1986 2 0 2 0 1 1
  1990 Did not enter Did not enter
  1994 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
  1998 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
    2002 2 0 0 2 2 4
  2006 2 0 1 1 0 3
  2010 6 2 2 2 9 6
  2014 8 3 0 5 10 14
  2018 4 1 1 2 4 10
  2022 8 2 4 2 8 10
      2026 To be determined 2 1 0 1 1 2
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/15 43 12 12 19 44 62

Africa Cup of Nations record edit

Africa Cup of Nations Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Record
Appearances: 3 Appearances: 24
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
as   Tanganyika as   Tanganyika
  1957 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
  1959
  1962
  1963
as   Tanzania as   Tanzania
  1965 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
  1968 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
  1970 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 3 10
  1972 2 0 1 1 2 6
  1974 4 1 2 1 5 3
  1976 2 0 1 1 3 6
  1978 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
  1980 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 3 6 4 2 1 1 8 4
  1982 Withdrew Withdrew
  1984 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 3 4
  1986 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
  1988 Did not qualify 3 0 1 2 3 6
  1990 2 0 2 0 2 2
  1992 6 1 2 3 4 7
  1994 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
  1996 Did not qualify 10 4 0 6 14 15
  1998 6 1 2 3 5 7
    2000 2 0 0 2 0 2
  2002 2 0 0 2 2 4
  2004 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
  2006 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 3
  2008 6 2 2 2 4 7
  2010 2 2 2 2 9 6
    2012 6 1 2 3 6 9
  2013 2 0 2 0 2 2
  2015 4 1 2 1 6 6
  2017 4 0 1 3 0 6
  2019 Group stage 24th 3 0 0 3 2 8 6 2 2 2 6 5
  2021 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 5 6
  2023 Group stage 22nd 3 0 2 1 1 4 6 2 2 2 3 4
  2025 To be determined To be determined
      2027 Qualified as hosts Qualified as hosts
Total Group stage 4/36 9 0 3 6 6 18 93 22 31 40 95 130

African Nations Championship record edit

African Nations Championship African Nations Championship Qualification Record
Appearances: 2 Appearances: 7
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  2009 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 2 2 6 4 1 1 10 4
  2011 Did not qualify 3 1 1 1 7 2
  2014 2 0 0 2 1 4
  2016 2 0 1 1 1 4
  2018 2 0 2 0 1 1
  2020 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 3 4 4 1 2 1 2 2
  2022 Did not qualify 4 2 0 2 3 5
      2024 Qualified as hosts Qualified as hosts
Total Group stage 2/7 6 2 2 2 5 6 23 8 7 8 25 22

African Games edit

Football at the African Games
Year Result M W D L GF GA
  1973 7th 3 0 0 3 3 7
Total 1/4 3 0 0 3 3 7

Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup edit


Honours edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  3. ^ "FIFA". fifa.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Brother Danny: Taifa Stars Ilivyofuzu Kwenda Lagos 1980". brotherdanny5b.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  5. ^ "International Matches 1987 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  6. ^ "International Matches 1992 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  7. ^ "International Matches 1993 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  8. ^ "International Matches 1998 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Final Squad". Twitter. TFF Tanzania.
  10. ^ "Tanzania". National Football Teams.

External links edit