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 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 112 5 (19 November 2025)[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 resultGroup stage (1980, 2019, 2023)
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.

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

2024

19 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Tanzania  1–0  Guinea Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3
  • Msuva 61'
 Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium

2025

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

2026

25 January Friendly Bolivia  v  Tanzania Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
20:00 UTC−4 Stadium: Estadio Ramón Aguilera

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
Video analysis Gabriel Johnson

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026.[8]

Caps and goals correct as of 15 November 2025, after the match against Kuwait.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Yakoub Suleiman Ali (1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 13 0 Simba
1GK Hussein Masalanga (1992-03-04) 4 March 1992 1 0 Singida Black Stars
1GK Zuberi Foba (2002-05-23) 23 May 2002 0 0 Azam
2DF Shomari Kapombe (1992-01-28) 28 January 1992 92 2 Simba
2DF Mohamed Husseini (1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 59 1 Young Africans
2DF Bakari Mwamnyeto (1995-10-05) 5 October 1995 48 0 Young Africans
2DF Dickson Job (2000-12-29) 29 December 2000 39 1 Young Africans
2DF Ibrahim Hamad (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 33 1 Young Africans
2DF Lusajo Mwaikenda (2000-10-27) 27 October 2000 24 0 Azam
2DF Pascal Msindo (2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 17 0 Azam
2DF Nickson Kibabage (2000-10-12) 12 October 2000 15 0 Singida Black Stars
2DF Wilson Nangu (2001-09-30) 30 September 2001 2 0 Simba
3MF Feisal Salum (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 57 4 Azam
3MF Novatus Miroshi (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 31 3 Göztepe
3MF Charles M'Mombwa (1998-03-14) 14 March 1998 14 3 Floriana
3MF Haji Mnoga (2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 14 0 Salford City
3MF Morice Abraham (2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 13 0 Simba
3MF Yusuph Kagoma (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 9 0 Simba
3MF Khalid Habibu (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 4 0 Singida Black Stars
3MF Alphonce Msanga (2003-06-14) 14 June 2003 4 0 Şamaxı
3MF Kelvin Nashon (2000-08-02) 2 August 2000 1 0 Pamba Jiji
4FW Simon Msuva (1993-10-02) 2 October 1993 99 24 Al-Talaba
4FW Mbwana Samatta (1992-12-23) 23 December 1992 85 22 Le Havre
4FW Abdul Hamisi Suleiman (2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 27 4 Azam
4FW Kibu Denis (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 26 0 Simba
4FW Iddy Seleman Nado (1995-11-03) 3 November 1995 22 1 Azam
4FW Kelvin John (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 10 1 AaB
4FW Tarryn Allarakhia (1997-11-17) 17 November 1997 8 1 Rochdale

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 Ally Salim (2000-04-19) 19 April 2000 5 0 Simba v.  Morocco, 25 March 2025
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 Mudathir Yahya (1995-05-06) 6 May 1995 39 1 Young Africans v.  Kuwait, 15 November 2025
FW Selemani Mwalimu (2006-01-19) 19 January 2006 5 1 Simba v.  Kuwait, 15 November 2025
FW Paul Peter (2003-11-30) 30 November 2003 2 0 JKT Tanzania v.  Kuwait, 15 November 2025
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 9 September 2025[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 Simon Msuva 99 24 2012–present
4 Kelvin Yondani 97 0 2008–2021
5 Shomari Kapombe 87 1 2011–present
6 Mbwana Samatta 85 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
2 Simon Msuva 24 99 0.24 2012–present
3 Mbwana Samatta 22 85 0.26 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 7 3 1 3 6 6
2030 To be determined
2034
Total 0/15 48 12 15 21 49 66

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 Group stage TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 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

Friendly

Notes
  • s Shared titles.

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 December 2025. Retrieved 21 December 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 AFCON 2025 Morocco". Facebook. Tanzania Football Federation. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Tanzania". National Football Teams.
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