Tanzania national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | Taifa Stars | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | CECAFA (East & Central Africa) | |||
Head coach | Hemed Morocco | |||
Captain | Mbwana Samatta | |||
Most caps | Erasto Nyoni (107) | |||
Top scorer | Mrisho Ngasa (25) | |||
Home stadium | Benjamin Mkapa Stadium | |||
FIFA code | TAN | |||
|
||||
FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 137 ![]() |
|||
Highest | 65 (February 1995) | |||
Lowest | 175 (October–November 2005) | |||
Elo ranking | ||||
Current | 128 ![]() |
|||
Highest | 75 (11 November 1979) | |||
Lowest | 168 (19 December 2004) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (Uganda; Date Unknown 1945) as Tanzania ![]() ![]() (Tanzania; 1 March 1969) |
||||
Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Jinja, Uganda; 1 December 1995) ![]() ![]() (Kampala, Uganda; 1 December 2012) |
||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (Tanganyika; Date Unknown 1956) as Tanzania ![]() ![]() (Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 11 September 1998) |
||||
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||
Appearances | 4 (first in 1980) | |||
Best result | Group stage (1980, 2019, 2023) | |||
African Nations Championship | ||||
Appearances | 2 (first in 2009) | |||
Best result | Group stage (2009, 2020) | |||
COSAFA Cup | ||||
Appearances | 3 (first in 1997) | |||
Best result | Third place (2017) |
The Tanzania national football team, also known as the Taifa Stars, plays for Tanzania in international men's soccer games. The team is managed by the Tanzania Football Federation. Their main home stadium is the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The current head coach is Hemed Morocco.
Before Tanzania and Zanzibar joined together, the team was called the Tanganyika national football team. Tanzania has never played in the FIFA World Cup. The island of Zanzibar is part of Tanzania. It also has its own team, but it cannot play in the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations. You can learn more about their team at Zanzibar national football team.
Contents
History of the Taifa Stars
After playing in the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania faced a long time without big wins. They struggled in qualifiers for both African and World Cup tournaments for almost 40 years. One of their best tries was in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. The Taifa Stars beat Burkina Faso twice. They finished only three points behind the group winners, Senegal. In 2010, Tanzania won the CECAFA Cup for the third time.
A more recent success was a 1–0 win against South Africa in the 2017 COSAFA Cup Quarter-finals. However, Tanzania then lost 2–4 to Zambia in the Semi-finals. In the match for third place, Tanzania won against Lesotho in a penalty shootout. The game was a draw after extra time. This third-place finish was a big achievement for Tanzanian football.
On March 24, 2019, Tanzania beat their East African rivals Uganda 3–0. This win helped them reach the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 39 years. At the Finals, the Taifa Stars were seen as the weakest team in their group. As expected, they lost all three of their Group C matches. A few months later, Tanzania qualified for the African Nations Championship for only the second time. They also defeated Burundi in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
On November 19, 2024, Tanzania had a close 1–0 victory against Guinea. This win secured their fourth AFCON qualification since 1980. A key goal by Simon Msuva helped them get into the tournament in 2025. The AFCON finals are planned for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco.
Team Uniforms
Kit Suppliers
Kit supplier | Period |
---|---|
![]() |
2017–2023 |
![]() |
2023– |
Coaching Staff
Recent Matches and Upcoming Games
Here are some of the matches Tanzania has played recently and some upcoming games.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2024 Matches
- March 25: Tanzania won 3–0 against Mongolia in Azerbaijan.
- May 15: Tanzania lost 1–2 to Sudan in a friendly match in Saudi Arabia.
- May 19: Tanzania won 1–0 against Sudan in another friendly match in Saudi Arabia.
- June 2: Tanzania had a 0–0 draw with Indonesia in a friendly match in Jakarta.
- June 11: Tanzania won 1–0 against Zambia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
- September 4: Tanzania drew 0–0 with Ethiopia in a 2025 AFCON qualifier.
- September 10: Tanzania won 2–1 against Guinea in a 2025 AFCON qualifier.
- October 10: Tanzania lost 0–1 to DR Congo in a 2025 AFCON qualifier.
- October 15: Tanzania lost 0–2 to DR Congo in a 2025 AFCON qualifier.
- November 16: Tanzania won 2–0 against Ethiopia in a 2025 AFCON qualifier.
- November 19: Tanzania won 1–0 against Guinea in a 2025 AFCON qualifier.
2025 Matches
- March 25: Tanzania lost 0–2 to Morocco in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
- September: Tanzania will play Congo in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
- September: Tanzania will play Niger in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
- October: Tanzania will play Zambia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
- December 23: Tanzania will play Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage.
- December 27: Tanzania will play Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage.
- December 30: Tanzania will play Tunisia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage.
Coaches of the Team
- 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)
Sunday Kayuni (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 on the Team
Current Squad
These players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Morocco on March 25, 2025. The numbers for games played (caps) and goals are correct as of November 19, 2024, after the match against Guinea.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Ally Salim | 19 April 2000 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
|
GK | Hussein Masaranga | 4 March 1992 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
|
GK | Yakoub Suleiman Ali | 7 December 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
DF | Shomari Kapombe | 28 January 1992 | 82 | 1 | ![]() |
|
DF | Mohamed Husseini | 1 November 1996 | 37 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Ibrahim Hamad | 12 November 1997 | 19 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Dickson Job | 29 December 2000 | 25 | 1 | ![]() |
|
DF | Lusajo Mwaikenda | 27 October 2000 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Haji Mnoga | 16 April 2002 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Pascal Msindo | 15 August 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Ibrahim Ame | 12 March 1993 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Miraji Abdallah | 30 June 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Abdulrazack Hamza | 23 March 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
MF | Feisal Salum | 11 January 1998 | 41 | 4 | ![]() |
|
MF | Mudathir Yahya | 6 May 1995 | 32 | 1 | ![]() |
|
MF | Novatus Miroshi | 2 September 2002 | 25 | 3 | ![]() |
|
MF | Charles M'Mombwa | 14 March 1998 | 9 | 1 | ![]() |
|
MF | Yusuph Kagoma | 3 April 1996 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
FW | Simon Msuva | 2 October 1993 | 76 | 19 | ![]() |
|
FW | Kibu Denis | 4 December 1998 | 19 | 0 | ![]() |
|
FW | Iddy Seleman Nado | 3 November 1995 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
|
FW | Clement Mzize | 7 January 2004 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
|
FW | Kelvin John | 10 June 2003 | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
|
FW | Selemani Mwalimu | 19 January 2006 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
Recent Call-ups
These players have been called to play for Tanzania in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Abuutwalib Msheri | 22 February 1999 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Yona Geoffrey Amosi | 28 November 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Kwesi Kawawa | 5 December 2001 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Aishi Manula | 13 September 1995 | 64 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
|
||||||
DF | Bakari Mwamnyeto | 5 October 1995 | 44 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Nickson Kibabage | 12 October 2000 | 15 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Abdulmalik Zakaria | 3 March 1996 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Nathaniel Chilambo | 10 November 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Lameck Elias Lawi | 28 November 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Miano van den Bos | 31 March 2003 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Kennedy Juma | 7 August 1994 | 11 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
|
||||||
MF | Himid Mao | 15 November 1992 | 79 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Adolf Bitegeko | 26 December 1998 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Abel Josiah | 4 November 2010 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Hussein Semfuko | 17 May 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Morice Abraham | 13 August 2003 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Tarryn Allarakhia | 17 November 1997 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
|
||||||
FW | Edwin Balua | 8 August 2001 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Waziri Shentembo | 11 August 1996 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Cyprian Kachwele | 15 February 2005 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Abdul Hamisi Suleiman | 26 February 2001 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Ben Starkie | 23 July 2002 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Mohammed Sagaf | 12 November 1997 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. |
Player Records
- Players in bold are still active with Tanzania.
Most Games Played
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 Goal Scorers
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 |
Tournament History
FIFA World Cup
Tanzania has never qualified for the 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 1970 | Did not enter or not a FIFA member | Did not enter or not a FIFA member | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
![]() ![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 6 | |||||||||
![]() |
8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 14 | |||||||||
![]() |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | |||||||||
![]() |
8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 10 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||
Total | 0/15 | 45 | 11 | 14 | 20 | 45 | 64 |
Africa Cup of Nations
Tanzania has played in the Africa Cup of Nations four times.
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 | |
![]() ![]() |
Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | 12 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 25 | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | |
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | 30 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 21 | 38 | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | 24 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 36 | ||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 24th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 22nd | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
![]() |
Qualified | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | |||||||||||||
Total | Group stage | 4/35 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 18 | 99 | 25 | 32 | 42 | 100 | 134 |
African Nations Championship
Tanzania has played in the African Nations Championship two times.
African Games
Tanzania has played in the African Games once.
African Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
![]() |
7th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | |
Total | 1/4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
CECAFA Cup
Honors and Achievements
Regional Tournaments
- CECAFA Cup
- Champions (3): 1974, 1994, 2010
- Runners-up (5): 1973, 1980, 1981, 1992, 2002
- Third place (3): 1979, 1990, 2008
- COSAFA Cup
- Third place (1): 2017
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Tanzania para niños