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

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Sub-confederation

CECAFA (East & Central Africa)

Head coach

Dean Alty (caretaker)

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

2 (first in 1980)

Best result

Group stage (1980 and 2019)

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 Dean Alty 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). Tanzania has qualified for 4 World cups

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.

Recent results and fixtures

Main page: Tanzania national football team results

Win Draw Loss

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2021

Friendly 9 December	Tanzania	0–2	Uganda
		https://www.skysports.com/football/tanzania-vs-uganda/461033	Asaba 71' Vuni 90+1'

2022

Friendly 23 March	Tanzania	3–1	Central African Republic
	Dismas 10' Samatta 63' Mpole 90+2'	Report	Yawanendji 66'

Friendly 29 March	Tanzania	1–1	Sudan	Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
	Msuva 67'		Kuwa 2'	Stadium: National Stadium (Tanzania)

2023 AFCON qualification 4 June	Niger	1–1	Tanzania	Cotonou, Benin
17:00	Sosah 26'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/04/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/niger/tanzania/3783021/	Mpole 1'	Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Komlanvi Aklassou (Togo)

2023 AFCON qualification 8 June	Tanzania	0–2	Algeria	Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
19:00 UTC+3		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/08/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/tanzania/algeria/3783023/	Bensebaini 45+2' Amoura 89'	Stadium: National Stadium (Tanzania) Referee: Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)

Friendly 24 September	Tanzania	1–0	Uganda	Benghazi, Libya
19:00 UTC+2	Msuva 29'			Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium

Friendly 27 September	Libya	2–1	Tanzania	Benghazi, Libya
				Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium

2023

2023 AFCON qualification September	Uganda	v	Tanzania	Uganda
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/19/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/uganda/tanzania/3783025/

2023 AFCON qualification September	Tanzania	v	Uganda	Tanzania
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/tanzania/uganda/3783027/

2023 AFCON qualification March	Tanzania	v	Niger

2023 AFCON qualification March	Algeria	v	Tanzania

Coaches

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Bert Trautmann (1975)
Geoff Hudson (1977–1979)
Slawomir Wolk (1979–1980)
Mahammed Msomali (1980–1981)
Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
Joseph Bendera (1981-1985)
Paul West (1985-1989)
Charles Boniface Mkwasa (1989-1992)
Kayuni Dunday (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-)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Uganda and Libya on 24 and 27 September 2022.

Caps and goals correct as of 8 June 2022, after the match against Algeria.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
18	1GK	Aishi Manula	(1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 28)	51	0	Simba
1	1GK	Beno Kakolanya	(1994-06-27) 27 June 1994 (age 29)	0	0	Simba
22	1GK	Saidi Kipao	(1996-12-29) 29 December 1996 (age 26)	0	0	Kagera Sugar

	2DF	Abdi Banda	(1995-05-20) 20 May 1995 (age 28)	19	0	Chippa United
	2DF	Dickson Job	(2000-12-29) 29 December 2000 (age 22)	11	0	Young Africans
	2DF	Kibwana Shomari	(2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 22)	5	0	Young Africans
	2DF	Charles Luhende	(1989-01-21) 21 January 1989 (age 34)	2	0	Kagera Sugar
	2DF	Oscar Masai	(2000-01-13) 13 January 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Azam
	2DF	Abdallah Mfuko	(1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 (age 30)	0	0	Kagera Sugar
	2DF	Datius Peter	(1998-11-26) 26 November 1998 (age 24)	0	0	Kagera Sugar
	2DF	Abdulmalik Zakaria	(1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 (age 27)	0	0	Namungo

	3MF	Himid Mao	(1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 (age 30)	61	2	Ghazl El Mahalla
	3MF	Mzamiru Yassin	(1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 27)	36	0	Simba
	3MF	Feisal Salum	(1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 25)	25	2	Young Africans
	3MF	Sospeter Bajana	(1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 26)	1	0	Azam
	3MF	Mohamed Banka	(1995-12-16) 16 December 1995 (age 27)	0	0	Namungo
	3MF	Carlos Protas	(2002-09-16) 16 September 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Tusker
	3MF	David Uromi	(1999-12-31) 31 December 1999 (age 23)	0	0	Moroka Swallows

	4FW	Saimon Msuva	(1993-10-02) 2 October 1993 (age 29)	77	18	Al-Qadsiah
	4FW	Mbwana Samatta	(1992-12-23) 23 December 1992 (age 30)	68	22	Genk
	4FW	Ibrahim Joshua	(1994-07-29) 29 July 1994 (age 29)	2	0	Tusker
	4FW	Said Khamis	(2000-07-20) 20 July 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Hatta Club
	4FW	Habib Kiyombo	(2000-12-21) 21 December 2000 (age 22)	0	0	Simba

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 24)	9	0	Free agent	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
GK	Abutwalib Mshery		0	0	Mtibwa Sugar	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022

DF	Shomari Kapombe	(1992-01-28) 28 January 1992 (age 31)	81	1	Simba	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
DF	Mohamed Husseini	(1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 (age 26)	32	0	Simba	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
DF	Bakari Mwamnyeto	(1995-10-05) 5 October 1995 (age 27)	26	0	Young Africans	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
DF	Kennedy Juma	(1994-09-27) 27 September 1994 (age 28)	10	0	Simba	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
DF	Haji Mnoga	(2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 (age 21)	3	0	Gillingham	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
DF	Abdalla Kheri	(1996-10-10) 10 October 1996 (age 26)	2	0	Azam	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
DF	Israel Mwenda	(2000-03-10) 10 March 2000 (age 23)	5	1	KMC	v. Sudan, 29 March 2022
DF	Lusajo Mwaikenda	(2000-10-27) 27 October 2000 (age 22)	2	0	Azam	v. Sudan, 29 March 2022

MF	Salum Abubakar	(1989-02-21) 21 February 1989 (age 34)	50	1	Young Africans	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
MF	Novatus Dismas	(2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 (age 21)	10	2	Zulte Waregem	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
MF	Aziz Andabwile	(2000-05-12) 12 May 2000 (age 23)	2	0	Mbeya City	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
MF	Ben Starkie	(2002-07-23) 23 July 2002 (age 21)	2	0	Basford United	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
MF	Jonas Mkude	(1992-12-03) 3 December 1992 (age 30)	36	0	Simba	v. Sudan, 29 March 2022
MF	Zawadi Mauya	(1994-11-26) 26 November 1994 (age 28)	2	0	Young Africans	v. Sudan, 29 March 2022

FW	Faridi Mussa	(1996-06-21) 21 June 1996 (age 27)	37	1	Young Africans	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
FW	Nickson Kibabage	(2000-10-12) 12 October 2000 (age 22)	14	0	Kinondoni Municipal Council	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
FW	Denis Kibu	(1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 (age 24)	7	0	Simba	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
FW	Reliants Lusajo	(1990-03-07) 7 March 1990 (age 33)	7	0	Namungo	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
FW	Kelvin John	(2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 (age 20)	5	0	Genk	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
FW	Abdul Hamisi Suleiman	(2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 (age 22)	5	0	Coastal Union	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
FW	George Mpole	(1998-07-27) 27 July 1998 (age 25)	4	2	Geita Gold	vs. Algeria, 8 June 2022
FW	Tepsi Evance	(2002-12-30) 30 December 2002 (age 20)	0	0	Azam	v. Sudan, 29 March 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

Players in bold are still active with Tanzania.

Most appearances

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Erasto Nyoni	107	7	2006–present
2	Mrisho Ngassa	100	25	2006–2015
3	Kelvin Yondani	97	0	2008–present
4	Raphael Bocco	82	17	2009–present
5	Shomari Kapombe	81	1	2011–present
6	Juma Kaseja	79	0	2002–present
7	Simon Msuva	77	18	2012–present
8	Mbwana Samatta	68	22	2011–present
9	Shaban Nditi	62	2	2002–2012
10	Himid Mao	61	2	2013–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Mrisho Ngassa	25	100	0.25	2006–2015
2	Mbwana Samatta	22	68	0.32	2011–present
3	Simon Msuva	18	77	0.23	2012–present
4	Raphael Bocco	17	82	0.21	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–present
	Erasto Nyoni	7	107	0.07	2006–present

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
1930 to 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								To be determined
Total		0/22							41	11	12	18	43	60

Africa Cup of Nations record

Main page: Tanzania at the Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances: 2
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Not affiliated to CAF
1959
1962
1963
1965
1968	Withdrew during qualifying
1970	Did not qualify
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	3	6
1982	Withdrew
1984	Did not qualify
1986	Withdrew during qualifying
1988	Did not qualify
1990
1992
1994	Withdrew during qualifying
1996	Did not qualify
1998
2000
2002
2004	Withdrew during qualifying
2006	Did not qualify
2008
2010
2012
2013
2015
2017
2019	Group stage	24th	3	0	0	3	2	8
2021	Did not qualify
2023	To be determined
2025	To be determined
Total	Group stage	2/33	6	0	1	5	5	14

African Nations Championship record

African Nations Championship
Appearances: 2
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2009	Group stage	5th	3	1	1	1	2	2
2011	Did not qualify
2014
2016
2018
2020	Group stage	10th	3	1	1	1	3	4
2022	Did not qualify
Total	Group stage	2/7	6	2	2	2	5	6

African Games

African Games Record
Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA
1973	7th	3	0	0	3	3	7
Total	1/4

Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup

Main page: CECAFA Cup

Honours

CECAFA Cup :

3 Times Champion (1974, 1994, 2010)
5 Times Runners-up (1973, 1980, 1981, 1992, 2002)