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
Nickname(s)Taifa Stars
AssociationTanzania Football Federation (TFF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachHemed Morocco
CaptainMbwana Samatta
Most capsErasto Nyoni (107)
Top scorerMrisho Ngasa (25)
Home stadiumBenjamin Mkapa Stadium
FIFA codeTAN
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 107 1 (3 April 2025)[1]
Highest65 (February 1995)
Lowest175 (October–November 2005)
First international
 Uganda 7–0  
(Uganda; Date Unknown 1945)
as Tanzania
  1–1 Kenya 
(Tanzania; 1 March 1969)
Biggest win
  7–0 Somalia 
(Jinja, Uganda; 1 December 1995)
 Somalia 0–7  
(Kampala, Uganda; 1 December 2012)
Biggest defeat
  0–9 Kenya 
(Tanganyika; Date Unknown 1956)
as Tanzania
 Saudi Arabia 8–0  
(Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 11 September 1998)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances4 (first in 1980)
Best resultGroup stage (1980, 2019, 2023)
African Nations Championship
Appearances2 (first in 2009)
Best resultGroup stage (2009, 2020)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances3 (first in 1997)
Best resultThird place (2017)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances63 (first in 1945)
Best resultChampions (1949, 1950, 1951, 1964, 1965, 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 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).

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.

Team image

Kit suppliers

Kit supplier Period
Uhlsport 2017–2023
Sandaland 2023–

Coaching staff

Head coach Hemed Morocco
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

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

2024

25 March 2024 FIFA World Series   3–0  Mongolia Baku, Azerbaijan
17:00 UTC+4
  • John 49'
  • Sopu 62'
  • Miroshi 76'
 Report Stadium: Dalga Arena
Attendance: 146
Referee: Elçin Məsiyev (Azerbaijan)
15 May Friendly Sudan  2–1   Al Hawiyah, Saudi Arabia
16:00 UTC+3
  • Abdelrazeg 11'
  • Vitalis 27'
 Report
Report (SFA)
  • Ahmada 80'
 Stadium: King Fahd Sports City (Taif)
19 May Friendly Sudan  0–1   Al Hawiyah, Saudi Arabia
17:00 UTC+3 Report
  • Adam 80'
 Stadium: King Fahd Sports City (Taif)
2 June Friendly Indonesia  0–0   Jakarta, Indonesia
16:00 UTC+7 Stadium: Madya Stadium
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Zambia  0–1   Ndola, Zambia
15:00 UTC+2 Report
  • Waziri 5'
 Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
Referee: Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania)
4 September 2025 AFCON qualification   0–0  Ethiopia Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
19:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium
Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)
10 September 2025 AFCON qualification Guinea  1–2   Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
16:00 UTC+0
Report
Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium
Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
10 October 2025 AFCON qualification DR Congo  1–0   Kinshasa, DR Congo
--:--  Mzize 53' (o.g.) Report Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)
15 October 2025 AFCON qualification   0–2  DR Congo Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
16 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Ethiopia  0–2   Kinshasa, DR Congo
16:00 UTC+1 Msuva 15'
Salum 31'		 Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
19 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification   1–0  Guinea Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3
Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium

2025

25 March 2026 World Cup qualification Morocco  2–0   Oujda, Morocco
21:30 UTC+0
Report Stadium: Honor Stadium
Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad)
September 2026 World Cup qualification Congo  v  
September 2026 World Cup qualification   v  Niger
October 2026 World Cup qualification   v  Zambia
23 December 2025 AFCON GS Nigeria  v   Fez, Morocco
13:00 UTC+1 Stadium: Fez Stadium
27 December 2025 AFCON GS Uganda  v   Rabat, Morocco
18:00 UTC+1 Stadium: Al Barid Stadium
30 December 2025 AFCON GS   v  Tunisia Rabat, Morocco
18:00 UTC+1 Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium

Coaches

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group E match against Morocco on 25 March 2025.[8]

Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ally Salim (2000-04-19) 19 April 2000 5 0 Simba
1GK Hussein Masaranga (1992-03-04) 4 March 1992 0 0 Ihefu
1GK Yakoub Suleiman Ali (1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 0 0 JKT Tanzania
2DF Shomari Kapombe (1992-01-28) 28 January 1992 82 1 Simba
2DF Mohamed Husseini (1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 37 0 Simba
2DF Ibrahim Hamad (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 19 0 Young Africans
2DF Dickson Job (2000-12-29) 29 December 2000 25 1 Young Africans
2DF Lusajo Mwaikenda (2000-10-27) 27 October 2000 14 0 Azam
2DF Haji Mnoga (2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 13 0 Salford City
2DF Pascal Msindo (2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 4 0 Azam
2DF Ibrahim Ame (1993-03-12) 12 March 1993 2 0 Mashujaa
2DF Miraji Abdallah (2004-06-30) 30 June 2004 0 0 Coastal Union
2DF Abdulrazack Hamza (2003-03-23) 23 March 2003 0 0 Simba
3MF Feisal Salum (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 41 4 Azam
3MF Mudathir Yahya (1995-05-06) 6 May 1995 32 1 Young Africans
3MF Novatus Miroshi (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 25 3 Göztepe
3MF Charles M'Mombwa (1998-03-14) 14 March 1998 9 1 Newcastle Jets
3MF Yusuph Kagoma (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 0 0 Simba
4FW Simon Msuva (1993-10-02) 2 October 1993 76 19 Al-Talaba
4FW Kibu Denis (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 19 0 Simba
4FW Iddy Seleman Nado (1995-11-03) 3 November 1995 12 0 Azam
4FW Clement Mzize (2004-01-07) 7 January 2004 9 0 Young Africans
4FW Kelvin John (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 6 1 AaB
4FW Selemani Mwalimu (2006-01-19) 19 January 2006 1 0 Wydad AC

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 Abuutwalib Msheri (1999-02-22) 22 February 1999 3 0 Young Africans v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
GK Yona Geoffrey Amosi (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 1 0 Tanzania Prisons v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
GK Kwesi Kawawa (2001-12-05) 5 December 2001 3 0 Karlslunds IF v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
GK Aishi Manula (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 64 0 Simba v.  Mongolia; 25 March 2024
DF Bakari Mwamnyeto (1995-10-05) 5 October 1995 44 0 Young Africans v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
DF Nickson Kibabage (2000-10-12) 12 October 2000 15 0 Young Africans v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
DF Abdulmalik Zakaria (1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 2 0 Namungo v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
DF Nathaniel Chilambo (1999-11-10) 10 November 1999 0 0 Azam v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
DF Lameck Elias Lawi (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 2 0 Coastal Union v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
DF Miano van den Bos (2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 5 0 Villena v.  Sudan; 19 May 2024
DF Kennedy Juma (1994-08-07) 7 August 1994 11 0 Simba v.  Mongolia; 25 March 2024
MF Himid Mao (1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 79 2 Ghazl El Mahalla v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
MF Adolf Bitegeko (1998-12-26) 26 December 1998 2 0 Azam v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
MF Abel Josiah (2010-11-04) 4 November 2010 1 0 TDS TFF Academy v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
MF Hussein Semfuko (2004-05-17) 17 May 2004 0 0 Coastal Union v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
MF Morice Abraham (2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 10 0 Spartak Subotica v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
MF Tarryn Allarakhia (1997-11-17) 17 November 1997 4 0 Rochdale v.  Sudan; 19 May 2024
FW Edwin Balua (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 5 0 Simba v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
FW Waziri Shentembo (1996-08-11) 11 August 1996 4 1 Al-Minaa v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
FW Cyprian Kachwele (2005-02-15) 15 February 2005 1 0 Whitecaps v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
FW Abdul Hamisi Suleiman (2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 7 0 Azam v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
FW Ben Starkie (2002-07-23) 23 July 2002 6 0 Basford United v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
FW Mohammed Sagaf (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 3 0 Boreham Wood v.  Sudan; 19 May 2024

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 19 November 2024[9]
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 Simon Msuva 96 23 2012–present
5 John Bocco 84 16 2009–2023
Shomari Kapombe 84 1 2011–present
7 Mbwana Samatta 83 22 2011–present
8 Himid Mao 81 2 2013–present
9 Juma Kaseja 79 0 2002–2021
10 Aishi Manula 66 0 2015–present

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Mrisho Ngassa 25 100 0.25 2006–2015
2 Simon Msuva 23 94 0.24 2012–present
3 Mbwana Samatta 22 83 0.27 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 To be determined 4 2 0 2 2 4
2030 To be determined
2034
Total 0/15 45 11 14 20 45 64

Africa Cup of Nations

Main article: Tanzania at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Appearances: 4 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 Qualified 6 3 1 2 5 4
2027 Qualified as co-hosts Qualified as co-hosts
2029 To be determined To be determined
Total Group stage 4/35 9 0 3 6 6 18 99 25 32 42 100 134

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record 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

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

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Brother Danny: Taifa Stars Ilivyofuzu Kwenda Lagos 1980". brotherdanny5b.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  4. ^ "International Matches 1987 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  5. ^ "International Matches 1992 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  6. ^ "International Matches 1993 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  7. ^ "International Matches 1998 - Africa". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Kikosi cha Timu ya Taifa Stars kitakachoingia kambini kujiandaa na mchezo wa Kufuzu Kombe la Dunia 2026 dhidi ya Morocco". Facebook. Tanzania Football Federation. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  9. ^ "Tanzania". National Football Teams.
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