Tanzania national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Tanzania women's national football team.

Tanzania
NicknameTaifa Stars
AssociationTanzania Football Federation (TFF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachVacant
CaptainMbwana Samatta
Most capsErasto Nyoni (107)
Top scorerSimon Msuva & Mrisho Ngasa (25)
Home stadiumBenjamin Mkapa Stadium
FIFA codeTAN
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 110 2 (19 January 2026)[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
Appearances5 (first in 1980)
Best resultRound of 16 (2025)
African Nations Championship
Appearances3 (first in 2009)
Best resultGroup stage (2009, 2020)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances3 (first in 1997)
Best resultThird place (2017)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances36 (first in 1973)
Best resultChampions (1974, 1994, 2010)

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 Hemed Morocco from Tanzania. 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).

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.

History

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.

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.

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.

On 19 November 2024 Tanzania won a narrow victory of 1–0 against Guinea which secured their fourth times Afcon qualification since 1980. A decisive goal by Simon Msuva sent them to the tournament in 2025. The Afcon finals are scheduled to take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 in Morocco.

In February 2026, Tanzania's Ministry of Sports extended Miguel Ángel Gamondi's contract to coach the national football team.[3]

Team image

Kit suppliers

Kit supplier Period
Uhlsport 2017–2023
Sandaland 2023–

Results and fixtures

Main article: Tanzania national football team results

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

2025

25 March 2026 World Cup qualification Morocco  2–0  Tanzania Oujda, Morocco
21:30 UTC+0
  • Aguerd 51'
  • Díaz 58' (pen.)
 Report Stadium: Honor Stadium
Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad)
5 September 2026 World Cup qualification Congo  1–1  Tanzania Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1
  • Moussavou 68'
 Report
Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Thabang Ketshabile (Botswana)
9 September 2026 World Cup qualification Tanzania  0–1  Niger Zanzibar City, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Amaan Stadium
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
8 October 2026 World Cup qualification Tanzania  0–1  Zambia Zanzibar City, Tanzania
22:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Amaan Stadium
Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast)
14 October Friendly Iran  2–0  Tanzania Dubai, United Arab Emirates
20:00 UTC+4
Report Stadium: Rashid Stadium
Referee: Adel Al Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)
15 November Friendly Kuwait  4–3  Tanzania Cairo, Egypt
18:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Al Salam Stadium
23 December 2025 AFCON GS Nigeria  2–1  Tanzania Fez, Morocco
18:30 UTC+1
Report M'Mombwa 50' Stadium: Fez Stadium
Attendance: 11,444
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
27 December 2025 AFCON GS Uganda  1–1  Tanzania Rabat, Morocco
18:30 UTC+1 Ikpeazu 80' Report Msuva 59' (pen.) Stadium: Al Medina Stadium
Attendance: 10,540
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
30 December 2025 AFCON GS Tanzania  1–1  Tunisia Rabat, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Salum 48' Report Gharbi 43' (pen.) Stadium: Rabat Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 15,205
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala (DR Congo)

2026

4 January 2025 AFCON R16 Morocco  1–0  Tanzania Rabat, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Díaz 64' Report Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Attendance: 63,894
Referee: Boubou Traore (Mali)
26 March 2026 FIFA Series Tanzania  v  Liechtenstein Kigali, Rwanda
16:30 UTC+2 Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium
29 March 2026 FIFA Series Aruba /Macau  v  Tanzania Kigali, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2/18:00 UTC+2 Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium

Coaching staff

Head coach Vacant
Assistant coach Juma Mgunda
Assistant coach Hemed Morocco
Goalkeeper coach Osama Al-Hamdan
Physical coach Mikael Mayoyo
Sports therapist Joris De Vos
Head of medical Lisobine Kisongo
Team manager Reinhard
Video analysis Gabriel Johnson

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA Series matches against Liechtenstein and either Aruba or Macau on 26 and 29 March 2026, respectively.[9]

Caps and goals correct as of 4 January 2026, after the match against Morocco.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Aishi Manula (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 65 0 Azam
1GK Zuberi Foba (2002-05-23) 23 May 2002 2 0 Azam
1GK Yona Amosi (1999-08-09) 9 August 1999 0 0 Pamba
2DF Nickson Kibabage (2000-10-12) 12 October 2000 15 0 Simba
2DF Ibrahim Hamad (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 37 1 Young Africans
2DF Bakari Mwamnyeto (vice-captain) (1995-10-05) 5 October 1995 52 0 Young Africans
2DF Mohamed Husseini (1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 63 1 Young Africans
3MF Haji Mnoga (2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 18 0 Salford City
2DF Mohamed Mussa 0 0 Mashujaa
2DF Twalib Nuru (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 0 0 Azam
2DF Bakari Msimu (2007-12-10) 10 December 2007 0 0 Coastal Union
2DF Elias Lameck (2005-09-12) 12 September 2005 0 0 Azam
3MF Feisal Salum (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 60 5 Azam
3MF Mudathir Yahya (1995-05-06) 6 May 1995 39 1 Young Africans
3MF Novatus Miroshi (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 35 3 Göztepe
3MF Yusuf Kagoma (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 9 0 Simba
3MF Kelvin Nashon (2000-08-02) 2 August 2000 1 0 Pamba
3MF Alphonce Msanga (2003-06-14) 14 June 2003 8 0 Şamaxı
4FW Iddy Seleman Nado (1995-11-03) 3 November 1995 23 1 Azam
4FW Selemani Mwalimu (2006-01-19) 19 January 2006 7 1 Simba
4FW Charles M'Mombwa (1998-03-14) 14 March 1998 18 4 Floriana
4FW Tarryn Allarakhia (1997-11-17) 17 November 1997 12 1 Rochdale
4FW Simon Msuva (1993-10-02) 2 October 1993 103 25 Al-Talaba
4FW Kelvin John (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 12 1 AaB
4FW Paul Peter (2003-11-30) 30 November 2003 2 0 JKT Tanzania

Recent call-ups

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 Hussein Masalanga (1992-03-04) 4 March 1992 3 0 Singida Black Stars 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
GK Yakoub Suleiman Ali (1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 13 0 Simba 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
GK Ally Salim (2000-04-19) 19 April 2000 5 0 Simba v.  Morocco, 25 March 2025
DF Pascal Msindo (2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 18 0 Azam 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Dickson Job (2000-12-29) 29 December 2000 43 1 Young Africans 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Wilson Nangu (2001-09-30) 30 September 2001 2 0 Simba 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Lusajo Mwaikenda (2000-10-27) 27 October 2000 24 0 Azam 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Shomari Kapombe (1992-01-28) 28 January 1992 95 2 Simba 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Ibrahim Ame (1993-03-12) 12 March 1993 2 0 Mashujaa v.  Morocco, 25 March 2025
DF Miraji Abdallah (2004-06-30) 30 June 2004 0 0 Coastal Union v.  Morocco, 25 March 2025
DF Abdulrazack Hamza (2003-03-23) 23 March 2003 0 0 Simba v.  Morocco, 25 March 2025
MF Khalid Habibu (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 4 0 Singida Black Stars 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Morice Abraham (2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 13 0 Simba 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Mbwana Samatta (captain) (1992-12-23) 23 December 1992 89 22 Le Havre 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Kibu Denis (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 27 0 Simba 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Abdul Hamisi Suleiman (2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 27 4 Azam 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Clement Mzize (2004-01-07) 7 January 2004 9 0 Young Africans v.  Morocco, 25 March 2025

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

As of 4 January 2026[10]
Players in bold are still active with Tanzania.

Most appearances

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Erasto Nyoni 107 7 2006–2021
2 Simon Msuva 103 25 2012–present
3 Mrisho Ngassa 100 25 2006–2015
4 Kelvin Yondani 97 0 2008–2021
5 Shomari Kapombe 95 2 2011–present
6 Mbwana Samatta 89 22 2011–present
7 John Bocco 84 16 2009–2023
8 Himid Mao 81 2 2013–present
9 Juma Kaseja 79 0 2002–2021
10 Aishi Manula 68 0 2015–present

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Mrisho Ngassa 25 100 0.25 2006–2015
Simon Msuva 25 103 0.24 2012–present
3 Mbwana Samatta 22 89 0.25 2011–present
4 John Bocco 16 84 0.19 2009–2023
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

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
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 8 3 1 4 6 7
2030 To be determined
2034
Total 0/16 49 12 15 22 49 67

Africa Cup of Nations

Main article: Tanzania at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
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 Round of 16 16th 4 0 2 2 3 5 6 3 1 2 5 4
2027 Qualified as co-hosts Qualified as co-hosts
2029 To be determined To be determined
Total Round of 16 4/35 13 0 5 8 9 23 99 25 32 42 100 134

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record Qualification record
Appearances: 3 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 Quarter-finals 8th 5 3 1 1 5 2 Qualified as hosts
Total Quarter-finals 2/7 6 2 2 2 5 6 23 8 7 8 25 22

African Games

African Games record
Year Result Pld 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

Main article: CECAFA Cup

Honours

Regional

Friendly

Notes
  • s Shared titles.

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  3. ^ Africa, Sport News. "Tanzania: Miguel Gamondi will extend as coach - Brève Sport News Africa". Sport News Africa. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  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. ^ "Gamondi aita 25 Stars" [Gamondi calls up 25 players] (in Swahili). Tanzania Football Federation. 18 March 2026.
  10. ^ "Tanzania". National Football Teams.
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