Tanzania national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

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

Quick facts for kids
Tanzania

Nickname(s)

Taifa Stars

Association

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF)

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Sub-confederation

CECAFA (East & Central Africa)

Head coach

Hemed Morocco (interim)

Captain

Mbwana Samatta

Most caps

Erasto Nyoni (107)

Top scorer

Mrisho Ngasa (25)

Home stadium

National Stadium

FIFA code

TAN

First colours

Second colours

Third colours

FIFA ranking

Current

137

1 (7 February 2019)

Highest

65 (February 1995)

Lowest

175 (October–November 2005)

Elo ranking

Current

128

2 (3 March 2019)

Highest

75 (11 November 1979)

Lowest

168 (19 December 2004)

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, 2019, 2023)

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.

Tanzania is currently ranked 121st in the FIFA World Rankings.

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.

Coaching staff

Head coach	Hemed Morocco
Assistant coach	Juma Mgunda
Assistant coach	Hemed Morocco
Assistant coach	Dr. Carolin Braun
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

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

2023

2023 AFCON qualification 28 March	Tanzania	0–1	Uganda	Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
20:00 UTC+3		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/tanzania/uganda/3783027/	Mato 90+1'	Stadium: National Stadium Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast)

2023 AFCON qualification 18 June	Tanzania	1–0	Niger	Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3	Msuva 69'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/06/00/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/tanzania/niger/3783029/		Stadium: National Stadium (Tanzania) Referee: Mohamed Al Sayd (Egypt)

2023 AFCON qualification 7 September	Algeria	0–0	Tanzania	Annaba, Algeria
20:00 UTC+1		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/07/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/algeria/tanzania/3783031/		Stadium: 19 May 1956 Stadium Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)

Friendly 15 October	Sudan	1–1	Tanzania	Taif, Saudi Arabia
19:00 UTC+3	Musab	https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2023-10-15/sudan-vs-tanzania/3196175/	Bajana	Stadium: King Fahd Sports City

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 18 November	Niger	0–1	Tanzania	Marrakesh, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017600	M'Mombwa 56'	Stadium: Stade de Marrakech Attendance: 178 Referee: Lotfi Bekouassa (Algeria)

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 21 November	Tanzania	0–2	Morocco	Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
19:00 UTC+3		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017605	Ziyech 28' Mwamnyeto 54' (o.g.)	Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa (National Stadium) Attendance: 60,000 Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)

Friendly 27 December	Zanzibar	0–0	Tanzania

2024

Friendly 7 January	Egypt	2–0	Tanzania	Cairo, Egypt
18:00 UTC+2	Trézéguet 32' Manula 73' (o.g.)	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/07/world/friendlies/egypt/tanzania/4290985/		Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Referee: Hashem Al-Ibrahim (Kuwait)

2023 AFCON GS 17 January	Morocco	3–0	Tanzania	San Pédro, Ivory Coast
				Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium

2023 AFCON GS 21 January	Zambia	1–1	Tanzania	San Pédro, Ivory Coast
				Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium

2023 AFCON GS 24 January	Tanzania	0–0	DR Congo	Korhogo, Ivory Coast
				Stadium: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium

2024 FIFA World Series 22 March	Tanzania	0–1	Bulgaria	Baku, Azerbaijan
15:00 UTC+4		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/506/289388/289389/400017935	Despodov 52'	Stadium: Dalga Arena Attendance: 154 Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan)

2024 FIFA World Series 25 March	Tanzania	3–0	Mongolia	Baku, Azerbaijan
17:00 UTC+4	John 49' Sopu 62' Miroshi 76'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/506/289388/289389/400017934		Stadium: Dalga Arena Attendance: 146 Referee: Elçin Məsiyev (Azerbaijan)

Coaches

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Bert Trautmann (1975)
Geoff Hudson (1977–1979)
Sławomir Wolk (1979–1980)
Mahammed Msomali (1980–1981)
Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
Joseph Bendera (1981–1985)
Paul West (1985–1989)
Charles Boniface Mkwasa (1989–1992)
Kayuni Sunday (1993–1995)
Clóvis de Oliveira (1995–1996)
Badru Hafidh (1996–1998)
Sylersaid Mziray (1998–1999)
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 (2023–2024)
Hemed Morocco (2024–)

Players

Current squad

The following 27 players were called up for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Caps and goals correct as of 7 January 2024, after the match against Egypt.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Kwesi Kawawa	(2001-12-05) 5 December 2001 (age 22)	1	0	Karlslunds IF
13	1GK	Beno David Kakolanya	(1994-06-27) 27 June 1994 (age 30)	4	0	Singida Fountain Gate
18	1GK	Aishi Manula	(1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 29)	60	0	Simba

2	2DF	Haji Mnoga	(2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 (age 22)	8	0	Aldershot Town
4	2DF	Ibrahim Hamad	(1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 27)	8	0	Young Africans
5	2DF	Dickson Job	(2000-12-29) 29 December 2000 (age 23)	23	1	Young Africans
14	2DF	Bakari Mwamnyeto	(1995-10-05) 5 October 1995 (age 29)	37	0	Young Africans
15	2DF	Mohamed Husseini	(1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 (age 28)	38	0	Simba
16	2DF	Lusajo Mwaikenda	(2000-10-27) 27 October 2000 (age 24)	5	0	Azam
20	2DF	Novatus Miroshi	(2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 (age 22)	18	2	Shakhtar Donetsk
24	2DF	Abdi Banda	(1995-05-20) 20 May 1995 (age 29)	20	0	Chippa United
25	2DF	Abdulmalik Zakaria	(1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 (age 28)	0	0	Namungo
26	2DF	Miano Danilo	(2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Villena

3	3MF	Mudathir Yahya	(1996-05-06) 6 May 1996 (age 28)	28	0	Young Africans
6	3MF	Feisal Salum	(1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 26)	33	2	Azam
7	3MF	Himid Mao	(1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 (age 32)	70	2	Ghazl El Mahalla
8	3MF	Morice Abraham	(2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 (age 21)	3	0	Spartak Subotica
11	3MF	Tarryn Allarakhia	(1997-11-17) 17 November 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Wealdstone
17	3MF	Sospeter Bajana	(1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 28)	5	1	Azam
19	3MF	Mzamiru Yassin	(1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 28)	47	0	Simba

9	4FW	Cyprian Kachwele	(2005-02-15) 15 February 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Whitecaps 2
10	4FW	Mbwana Samatta (captain)	(1992-12-23) 23 December 1992 (age 31)	76	22	PAOK
12	4FW	Simon Msuva	(1993-10-02) 2 October 1993 (age 31)	88	21	JS Kabylie
21	4FW	Charles M'Mombwa	(1998-03-14) 14 March 1998 (age 26)	3	1	Macarthur FC
22	4FW	Kibu Denis	(1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 (age 25)	17	0	Simba
23	4FW	Ben Starkie	(2002-07-23) 23 July 2002 (age 22)	3	0	Basford United
27	4FW	Mohammed Sagaf	(1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Boreham Wood

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	Metacha Mnata	(1998-11-25) 25 November 1998 (age 25)	9	0	Young Africans	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
GK	Zuberi Foba Masudi	(2002-05-23) 23 May 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Azam	v. Niger, 18 June 2023

DF	Kennedy Juma	(1994-08-07) 7 August 1994 (age 30)	10	0	Simba	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
DF	Lameck Elias Lawi	(2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Coastal Union	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
DF	Ally Kibwana Shomari	(2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 24)	7	0	Young Africans	v. Niger, 18 June 2023
DF	Kheir Makame Jecha	(1996-08-23) 23 August 1996 (age 28)	0	0	Kikosi Maalum Kuzuia Magendo	v. Niger, 18 June 2023
DF	Datius Peter	(1998-11-26) 26 November 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Kagera Sugar	v. Niger, 18 June 2023
DF	Shomari Kapombe	(1992-01-28) 28 January 1992 (age 32)	82	1	Simba	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF	Charles Luhende	(1989-01-21) 21 January 1989 (age 35)	5	0	Kagera Sugar	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF	Abdallah Mfuko	(1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 (age 31)	2	0	Kagera Sugar	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF	Yahya Mbegu	(2000-08-07) 7 August 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Polisi	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023

MF	Ayoub Idrissa Bilali	(2001-07-27) 27 July 2001 (age 23)	1	0	Goražde	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
MF	Adolf Bitegeko	(1999-02-26) 26 February 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Völsungur	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
MF	Yusuph Kagoma	(1996-02-01) 1 February 1996 (age 28)	0	0	Geita Gold	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
MF	Raphael Daudi	(1996-11-09) 9 November 1996 (age 28)	7	0	Ihefu	v. Niger, 18 June 2023
MF	Anuary Jabir	(1996-11-08) 8 November 1996 (age 28)	3	0	Kagera Sugar	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF	Ally Msengi	(2001-12-20) 20 December 2001 (age 22)	1	0	Moroka Swallows	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF	Khalid Habibu	(2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 (age 23)	0	0	KMKM	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF	Edmund John	(2002-12-04) 4 December 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Geita Gold	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF	Ramadhani Makame	(1998-06-29) 29 June 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Bodrumspor	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023

FW	Abdul Hamisi Suleiman	(2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 (age 23)	7	0	Azam	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
FW	Said Khamis	(2000-07-20) 20 July 2000 (age 24)	5	1	Jedinstvo Ub	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
FW	Raphael Bocco	(1989-08-05) 5 August 1989 (age 35)	84	16	Simba	v. Algeria, 7 September 2023
FW	George Tibar	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24)	1	0	Hatta	v. Niger, 18 June 2023
FW	Bernard Kamungo	(2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 22)	0	0	FC Dallas	v. Niger, 18 June 2023
FW	Kelvin John	(2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 (age 21)	6	0	Genk	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023
FW	Alphonce Msanga	(2003-06-14) 14 June 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Spartak Subotica	v. Uganda, 28 March 2023
^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

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	86	21	2012–present
5	Raphael Bocco	84	16	2009–present
6	Shomari Kapombe	82	1	2011–present
7	Juma Kaseja	79	0	2002–2021
8	Mbwana Samatta	75	22	2011–present
9	Himid Mao	69	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	75	0.29	2011–present
3	Simon Msuva	22	86	0.24	2012–present
4	Raphael Bocco	16	84	0.19	2009–present
5	John Nteze Lungu	12	22	0.55	1992–2002
6	Jerson Tegete	8	28	0.29	2006–2011
6	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									Qualification
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pld	W	D	L	F	A
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	Did not qualify								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								2	1	0	1	1	2
2030									To be determined
2034									To be determined
Total		0/15							43	12	12	19	44	62

Africa Cup of Nations record

Africa Cup of Nations									Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Record
Appearances: 3									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	To be determined								To be determined
2027	Qualified as hosts								Qualified as hosts
Total	Group stage	4/36	9	0	3	6	6	18	93	22	31	40	95	130

African Nations Championship record

African Nations Championship									African Nations Championship 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

Football at the African Games
Year	Result	M	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

Honours

CECAFA Cup
- Champions (3): 1974, 1994, 2010
- Runners-up (5): 1973, 1980, 1981, 1992, 2002