Tanzania national football team
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).
Nickname(s) | Taifa Stars | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | CECAFA (East & Central Africa) | |||
Head coach | Adel Amrouche | |||
Captain | Mbwana Samatta | |||
Most caps | Erasto Nyoni (107) | |||
Top scorer | Mrisho Ngasa (25) | |||
Home stadium | National Stadium | |||
FIFA code | TAN | |||
| ||||
FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 122 2 (21 September 2023)[1] | |||
Highest | 65 (February 1995) | |||
Lowest | 175 (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 | ||||
Appearances | 3 (first in 1980) | |||
Best result | Group stage (1980 and 2019) |
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.
Results and fixtures
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
2022
24 September Friendly | Tanzania | 1–0 | Uganda | Benghazi, Libya |
19:00 UTC+2 | Msuva 29' | Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium |
27 September Friendly | Libya | 2–1 | Tanzania | Benghazi, Libya |
Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium |
2023
24 March 2023 AFCON qualification | Uganda | 0–1 | Tanzania | Ismailia, Egypt |
16:00 UTC+2 | Report |
|
Stadium: Suez Canal Stadium Referee: Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius) |
28 March 2023 AFCON qualification | Tanzania | 0–1 | Uganda | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
20:00 UTC+3 | Report |
|
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) |
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Niger | v | Tanzania |
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Tanzania | v | Morocco |
Coaches
- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
- Bert Trautmann (1975)
- Geoff Hudson (1977–1979)
- Slawomir Wolk (1979–1980)[2]
- Mahammed Msomali (1980–1981)
- Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
- Joseph Bendera[3] (1981-1985)
- Paul West (1985-1989)[4]
- Charles Boniface Mkwasa (1989-1992)
- Kayuni Dunday (1993-1995)[5]
- Clóvis de Oliveira (1995–1996)
- Badru Hafidh (1996-1998)
- Sylersaid Mziray (1998-1999)[6]
- Mansour Magram (1999-00)
- Burkhard Pape (2000–01)
- Mshindo Msolla (2001-02)
- James Siang'a (2002)
- Mshindo Msolla (2002–03)
- Badru Hafidh (2003–06)
- Júlio César Leal (2006)
- Márcio Máximo (2006–10)
- Jan Poulsen (2010–12)
- Kim Poulsen (2012–14)
- Salum Madadi (2014)
- Mart Nooij (2014–2015)
- Charles Boniface Mkwasa (2015–2017)
- Salum Mayanga (2017–2018)
- Emmanuel Amunike (2018–2019)
- Etienne Ndayiragije (2019–2021)
- Kim Poulsen (2021–2022)
- Honour Janza (2022)
- Dean Alty (2022)
- Kim Poulsen (2022–2023)
- Adel Amrouche (2023–)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Niger on 18 June 2023.[7]
- Caps and goals correct as of 28 March 2023, after the match against Uganda.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Metacha Mnata | 25 November 1998 | 9 | 0 | Young Africans | |
GK | Beno David Kakolanya | 27 June 1994 | 1 | 0 | Simba | |
GK | Zuberi Foba Masudi | 23 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | Azam | |
DF | Bakari Mwamnyeto | 5 October 1995 | 26 | 0 | Young Africans | |
DF | Abdi Banda | 20 May 1995 | 19 | 0 | Chippa United | |
DF | Dickson Job | 29 December 2000 | 15 | 0 | Young Africans | |
DF | Novatus Miroshi | 2 September 2002 | 12 | 2 | Shakhtar Donetsk | |
DF | Kennedy Juma | 7 August 1994 | 10 | 0 | Simba | |
DF | Ally Kibwana Shomari | 21 November 2000 | 7 | 0 | Young Africans | |
DF | Ibrahim Hamad | 12 November 1997 | 0 | 0 | Young Africans | |
DF | Mohammed Hussein | 1 November 1996 | 0 | 0 | Mwadui United | |
DF | Kheir Makame Jecha | 23 August 1996 | 0 | 0 | Kikosi Maalum Kuzuia Magendo | |
DF | Lameck Elias Lawi | 28 November 2000 | 0 | 0 | Coastal Union | |
DF | Datius Peter | 26 November 1998 | 0 | 0 | Kagera Sugar | |
MF | Himid Mao Mkami | 15 November 1992 | 61 | 2 | Ghazl El Mahalla | |
MF | Mzamiru Yassin | 3 January 1996 | 36 | 0 | Simba | |
MF | Mudathir Yahya | 6 May 1996 | 22 | 0 | Young Africans | |
MF | Raphael Daudi | 9 November 1996 | 7 | 0 | Ihefu | |
MF | Ben Starkie | 23 July 2002 | 2 | 0 | Basford United | |
MF | Ayoub Idrissa Bilali | 27 July 2001 | 1 | 0 | Goražde | |
MF | Morice Abraham | 13 August 2003 | 1 | 0 | Spartak Subotica | |
MF | Adolf Bitegeko | 26 February 1999 | 0 | 0 | Völsungur | |
FW | George Tibar | 1 January 2000 | 0 | 0 | Hatta | |
FW | Simon Msuva | 2 October 1993 | 84 | 21 | JS Kabylie | |
FW | Ally Samatta | 23 December 1992 | 68 | 22 | PAOK | |
FW | Denis Kibu | 4 December 1998 | 7 | 0 | Simba | |
FW | Abdul Hamisi Suleiman | 26 February 2001 | 7 | 0 | Azam | |
FW | Bernard Kamungo | 1 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | FC Dallas |
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 | Aishi Manula | 13 September 1995 | 57 | 0 | Simba | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
GK | Saidi Kipao | 29 December 1996 | 0 | 0 | Kagera Sugar | vs. Libya, 27 September 2022 |
DF | Charles Luhende | 21 January 1989 | 5 | 0 | Kagera Sugar | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
DF | Haji Mnoga | 16 April 2002 | 3 | 0 | Aldershot Town | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
DF | Abdallah Mfuko | 23 March 1993 | 2 | 0 | Kagera Sugar | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
DF | Yahya Mbegu | 7 August 2000 | 0 | 0 | Polisi | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
DF | Oscar Masai | 13 January 2000 | 2 | 0 | Azam | vs. Libya, 27 September 2022 |
DF | Abdulmalik Zakaria | 3 March 1996 | 0 | 0 | Namungo | vs. Libya, 27 September 2022 |
DF | Eddy Francis | 17 December 1990 | 0 | 0 | Shanghai Shenhua | training camp, August 2023 |
MF | Feisal Salum | 11 January 1998 | 31 | 2 | Young Africans | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
MF | Anuary Jabir | 8 November 1996 | 3 | 0 | Kagera Sugar | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
MF | Sospeter Bajana | 14 October 1996 | 1 | 0 | Azam | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
MF | Ally Msengi | 20 December 2001 | 1 | 0 | Moroka Swallows | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
MF | Khalid Habibu | 10 September 2001 | 0 | 0 | KMKM | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
MF | Edmund John | 4 December 2002 | 0 | 0 | Geita Gold | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
MF | Yusuph Kagoma | 1 February 1996 | 0 | 0 | Geita Gold | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
MF | Ramadhani Makame | 29 June 1998 | 0 | 0 | Bodrumspor | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
MF | David Uromi | 31 December 1999 | 1 | 0 | Moroka Swallows | vs. Libya, 27 September 2022 |
MF | Mohamed Banka | 16 December 1995 | 0 | 0 | Namungo | vs. Libya, 27 September 2022 |
MF | Carlos Protas | 16 September 2002 | 0 | 0 | Tusker | vs. Libya, 27 September 2022 |
FW | Kelvin John | 10 June 2003 | 6 | 0 | Genk | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
FW | Said Khamis | 20 July 2000 | 4 | 1 | Jedinstvo Ub | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
FW | Alphonce Msanga | 14 June 2003 | 0 | 0 | Spartak Subotica | v. Uganda, 28 March 2023 |
FW | Ibrahim Joshua | 29 July 1994 | 3 | 0 | Tusker | vs. Libya, 27 September 2022 |
FW | Habib Kiyombo | 21 December 2000 | 3 | 0 | Simba | vs. Libya, 27 September 2022 |
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. |
Player records
- As of 28 March 2023[8]
- Players in bold are still active with Tanzania.
Most appearances
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 | Raphael Bocco | 83 | 17 | 2009–present |
5 | Shomari Kapombe | 81 | 1 | 2011–2021 |
Simon Msuva | 84 | 21 | 2012–present | |
7 | Juma Kaseja | 79 | 0 | 2002–2021 |
8 | Mbwana Samatta | 71 | 22 | 2011–present |
9 | Himid Mao | 65 | 2 | 2013–present |
10 | Shaban Nditi | 62 | 2 | 2002–2012 |
Top goalscorers
Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mrisho Ngassa | 25 | 100 | 0.25 | 2006–2015 |
2 | Mbwana Samatta | 22 | 71 | 0.31 | 2011–present |
3 | Simon Msuva | 21 | 84 | 0.25 | 2012–present |
4 | Raphael Bocco | 17 | 83 | 0.21 | 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
World Cup record
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 to 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 | to be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | 0/22 | 41 | 11 | 12 | 18 | 43 | 60 |
Africa Cup of Nations record
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 2 | ||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
as Tanganyika | ||||||||
1957 | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
1959 | ||||||||
1962 | ||||||||
1963 | ||||||||
as Tanzania | ||||||||
1965 | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
1968 | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
1970 | did not qualify | |||||||
1972 | ||||||||
1974 | ||||||||
1976 | ||||||||
1978 | ||||||||
1980 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
1982 | Withdrew | |||||||
1984 | did not qualify | |||||||
1986 | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
1988 | did not qualify | |||||||
1990 | ||||||||
1992 | ||||||||
1994 | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
1996 | did not qualify | |||||||
1998 | ||||||||
2000 | ||||||||
2002 | ||||||||
2004 | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
2006 | did not qualify | |||||||
2008 | ||||||||
2010 | ||||||||
2012 | ||||||||
2013 | ||||||||
2015 | ||||||||
2017 | ||||||||
2019 | Group stage | 24th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
2021 | did not qualify | |||||||
2023 | Qualified | |||||||
2025 | to be determined | |||||||
2027 | Qualified as hosts | |||||||
Total | Group stage | 4/36 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 14 |
African Nations Championship record
African Nations Championship | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 2 | ||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
2009 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
2011 | did not qualify | |||||||
2014 | ||||||||
2016 | ||||||||
2018 | ||||||||
2020 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
2022 | did not qualify | |||||||
Total | Group stage | 2/7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
African Games
Football at the African Games | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1973 | 7th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | |
Total | 1/4 |
Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup
References
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- "Brother Danny: Taifa Stars Ilivyofuzu Kwenda Lagos 1980". brotherdanny5b.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- "International Matches 1987 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- "International Matches 1992 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- "International Matches 1993 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- "International Matches 1998 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- "Kikosi cha Tanzania kinachocheza mchezo wa kufuzu AFCON 2023 dhidi ya Niger". Twitter. TFF Tanzania. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- "Tanzania". National Football Teams.