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).

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

Tanzania
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Taifa Stars
AssociationTanzania Football Federation (TFF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachAdel Amrouche
CaptainMbwana Samatta
Most capsErasto Nyoni (107)
Top scorerMrisho Ngasa (25)
Home stadiumNational Stadium
FIFA codeTAN
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 122 Increase 2 (21 September 2023)[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 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
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

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.

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
1GK Metacha Mnata (1998-11-25) 25 November 1998 9 0 Tanzania Young Africans
1GK Beno David Kakolanya (1994-06-27) 27 June 1994 1 0 Tanzania Simba
1GK Zuberi Foba Masudi (2002-05-23) 23 May 2002 0 0 Tanzania Azam
2DF Bakari Mwamnyeto (1995-10-05) 5 October 1995 26 0 Tanzania Young Africans
2DF Abdi Banda (1995-05-20) 20 May 1995 19 0 South Africa Chippa United
2DF Dickson Job (2000-12-29) 29 December 2000 15 0 Tanzania Young Africans
2DF Novatus Miroshi (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 12 2 Ukraine Shakhtar Donetsk
2DF Kennedy Juma (1994-08-07) 7 August 1994 10 0 Tanzania Simba
2DF Ally Kibwana Shomari (2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 7 0 Tanzania Young Africans
2DF Ibrahim Hamad (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 0 0 Tanzania Young Africans
2DF Mohammed Hussein (1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 0 0 Tanzania Mwadui United
2DF Kheir Makame Jecha (1996-08-23) 23 August 1996 0 0 Tanzania Kikosi Maalum Kuzuia Magendo
2DF Lameck Elias Lawi (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 0 0 Tanzania Coastal Union
2DF Datius Peter (1998-11-26) 26 November 1998 0 0 Tanzania Kagera Sugar
3MF Himid Mao Mkami (1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 61 2 Egypt Ghazl El Mahalla
3MF Mzamiru Yassin (1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 36 0 Tanzania Simba
3MF Mudathir Yahya (1996-05-06) 6 May 1996 22 0 Tanzania Young Africans
3MF Raphael Daudi (1996-11-09) 9 November 1996 7 0 Tanzania Ihefu
3MF Ben Starkie (2002-07-23) 23 July 2002 2 0 England Basford United
3MF Ayoub Idrissa Bilali (2001-07-27) 27 July 2001 1 0 Bosnia and Herzegovina Goražde
3MF Morice Abraham (2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 1 0 Serbia Spartak Subotica
3MF Adolf Bitegeko (1999-02-26) 26 February 1999 0 0 Iceland Völsungur
4FW George Tibar (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 0 0 United Arab Emirates Hatta
4FW Simon Msuva (1993-10-02) 2 October 1993 84 21 Algeria JS Kabylie
4FW Ally Samatta (1992-12-23) 23 December 1992 68 22 Greece PAOK
4FW Denis Kibu (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 7 0 Tanzania Simba
4FW Abdul Hamisi Suleiman (2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 7 0 Tanzania Azam
4FW Bernard Kamungo (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 0 0 United States 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 (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 57 0 Tanzania Simba v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
GK Saidi Kipao (1996-12-29) 29 December 1996 0 0 Tanzania Kagera Sugar vs.  Libya, 27 September 2022
DF Charles Luhende (1989-01-21) 21 January 1989 5 0 Tanzania Kagera Sugar v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF Haji Mnoga (2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 3 0 England Aldershot Town v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF Abdallah Mfuko (1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 2 0 Tanzania Kagera Sugar v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF Yahya Mbegu (2000-08-07) 7 August 2000 0 0 Tanzania Polisi v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF Oscar Masai (2000-01-13) 13 January 2000 2 0 Tanzania Azam vs.  Libya, 27 September 2022
DF Abdulmalik Zakaria (1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 0 0 Tanzania Namungo vs.  Libya, 27 September 2022
DF Eddy Francis (1990-12-17) 17 December 1990 0 0 China Shanghai Shenhua training camp, August 2023
MF Feisal Salum (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 31 2 Tanzania Young Africans v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Anuary Jabir (1996-11-08) 8 November 1996 3 0 Tanzania Kagera Sugar v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Sospeter Bajana (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 1 0 Tanzania Azam v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Ally Msengi (2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 1 0 South Africa Moroka Swallows v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Khalid Habibu (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 0 0 Tanzania KMKM v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Edmund John (2002-12-04) 4 December 2002 0 0 Tanzania Geita Gold v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Yusuph Kagoma (1996-02-01) 1 February 1996 0 0 Tanzania Geita Gold v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF Ramadhani Makame (1998-06-29) 29 June 1998 0 0 Turkey Bodrumspor v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF David Uromi (1999-12-31) 31 December 1999 1 0 Tanzania Moroka Swallows vs.  Libya, 27 September 2022
MF Mohamed Banka (1995-12-16) 16 December 1995 0 0 Tanzania Namungo vs.  Libya, 27 September 2022
MF Carlos Protas (2002-09-16) 16 September 2002 0 0 Kenya Tusker vs.  Libya, 27 September 2022
FW Kelvin John (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 6 0 Belgium Genk v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
FW Said Khamis (2000-07-20) 20 July 2000 4 1 Serbia Jedinstvo Ub v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
FW Alphonce Msanga (2003-06-14) 14 June 2003 0 0 Serbia Spartak Subotica v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
FW Ibrahim Joshua (1994-07-29) 29 July 1994 3 0 Kenya Tusker vs.  Libya, 27 September 2022
FW Habib Kiyombo (2000-12-21) 21 December 2000 3 0 Tanzania Simba vs.  Libya, 27 September 2022

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 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
Uruguay 1930 to Mexico 1970 did not enter did not enter
West Germany 1974 did not qualify 3 0 2 1 1 4
Argentina 1978 Withdrew Withdrew
Spain 1982 did not qualify 4 1 1 2 7 6
Mexico 1986 2 0 2 0 1 1
Italy 1990 did not enter did not enter
United States 1994 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
France 1998 did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 0 2 2 4
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 0 3
South Africa 2010 6 2 2 2 9 6
Brazil 2014 8 3 0 5 10 14
Russia 2018 4 1 1 2 4 10
Qatar 2022 8 2 4 2 8 10
Canada Mexico United States 2026 to be determined to be determined
Total 0/22 41 11 12 18 43 60

Africa Cup of Nations record
Main article: Tanzania at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances: 2
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
as  Tanganyika
Sudan 1957Not affiliated to CAF
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962
Ghana 1963
as  Tanzania
Tunisia 1965 Not affiliated to CAF
Ethiopia 1968Withdrew during qualifying
Sudan 1970did not qualify
Cameroon 1972
Egypt 1974
Ethiopia 1976
Ghana 1978
Nigeria 1980Group stage7th301236
Libya 1982Withdrew
Ivory Coast 1984did not qualify
Egypt 1986Withdrew during qualifying
Morocco 1988did not qualify
Algeria 1990
Senegal 1992
Tunisia 1994Withdrew during qualifying
South Africa 1996did not qualify
Burkina Faso 1998
Ghana Nigeria 2000
Mali 2002
Tunisia 2004Withdrew during qualifying
Egypt 2006did not qualify
Ghana 2008
Angola 2010
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012
South Africa 2013
Equatorial Guinea 2015
Gabon 2017
Egypt 2019Group stage24th300328
Cameroon 2021did not qualify
Ivory Coast 2023Qualified
Morocco 2025to be determined
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027Qualified as hosts
TotalGroup stage4/366015514

African Nations Championship record
African Nations Championship
Appearances: 2
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009Group stage5th311122
Sudan 2011did not qualify
South Africa 2014
Rwanda 2016
Morocco 2018
Cameroon 2020Group stage10th311134
Algeria 2022did not qualify
Total Group stage 2/7 6 2 2 2 5 6

African Games
Football at the African Games
YearResultMWDLGFGA
Nigeria 19737th300337
Total1/4

Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup
Main article: CECAFA Cup

Honours

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  2. "Brother Danny: Taifa Stars Ilivyofuzu Kwenda Lagos 1980". brotherdanny5b.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  3. "International Matches 1987 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  4. "International Matches 1992 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  5. "International Matches 1993 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  6. "International Matches 1998 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  7. "Kikosi cha Tanzania kinachocheza mchezo wa kufuzu AFCON 2023 dhidi ya Niger". Twitter. TFF Tanzania. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  8. "Tanzania". National Football Teams.
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