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Tanzania national football team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Tanzania women's national football team.
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Tanzania
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
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 137 Increase 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 65 (February 1995)
Lowest 175 (October–November 2005)
Elo ranking
Current 128 Increase 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 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.

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
Germany Uhlsport 2017–2023
Tanzania Sandaland 2023–

Coaching Staff

Head coach Tanzania Hemed Morocco
Assistant coach Tanzania Juma Mgunda
Assistant coach Tanzania Hemed Morocco
Goalkeeper coach Saudi Arabia Osama Al-Hamdan
Physical coach Finland Mikael Mayoyo
Sports therapist Belgium Joris De Vos
Head of medical Tanzania Lisobine Kisongo
Team manager Tanzania Reinhard

Recent Matches and Upcoming Games

Main article: Tanzania national football team results

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.
  • West Germany Bert Trautmann (1975)
  • England Geoff Hudson (1977–1979)
  • Poland Sławomir Wolk (1979–1980)
  • Tanzania Mahammed Msomali (1980–1981)
  • West Germany Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
  • Zanzibar Joseph Bendera (1981–1985)
  • Tanzania Paul West (1985–1989)
  • Tanzania Charles Boniface Mkwasa (1989–1992)
  • Tanzania Sunday Kayuni (1993–1995)
  • Brazil Clóvis de Oliveira (1995–1996)
  • Tanzania Badru Hafidh (1996–1998)
  • Tanzania Sylersaid Mziray (1998–1999)
  • Tanzania Mansour Magram (1999–00)
  • Germany Burkhard Pape (2000–01)
  • Tanzania Mshindo Msolla (2001–02)
  • Kenya James Siang'a (2002)
  • Tanzania Mshindo Msolla (2002–03)
  • Tanzania Badru Hafidh (2003–06)
  • Brazil Júlio César Leal (2006)
  • Brazil Márcio Máximo (2006–10)
  • Denmark Jan Poulsen (2010–12)
  • Denmark Kim Poulsen (2012–14)
  • Tanzania Salum Madadi (2014)
  • Netherlands Mart Nooij (2014–2015)
  • Tanzania Charles Boniface Mkwasa (2015–2017)
  • Tanzania Salum Mayanga (2017–2018)
  • Nigeria Emmanuel Amunike (2018–2019)
  • Burundi Etienne Ndayiragije (2019–2021)
  • Denmark Kim Poulsen (2021–2022)
  • Zambia Honour Janza (2022)
  • Tanzania Dean Alty (2022)
  • Denmark Kim Poulsen (2022–2023)
  • Algeria Adel Amrouche (2023–2024)
  • Tanzania Hemed Morocco (2024–)

Players on the Team

Benstarkietanzania (cropped)
Ben Starkie first played for Tanzania in 2022.

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
1GK Ally Salim (2000-04-19) 19 April 2000 (age 25) 5 0 Tanzania Simba
1GK Hussein Masaranga (1992-03-04) 4 March 1992 (age 33) 0 0 Tanzania Ihefu
1GK Yakoub Suleiman Ali (1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Tanzania JKT Tanzania
2DF Shomari Kapombe (1992-01-28) 28 January 1992 (age 33) 82 1 Tanzania Simba
2DF Mohamed Husseini (1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 (age 28) 37 0 Tanzania Simba
2DF Ibrahim Hamad (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 27) 19 0 Tanzania Young Africans
2DF Dickson Job (2000-12-29) 29 December 2000 (age 24) 25 1 Tanzania Young Africans
2DF Lusajo Mwaikenda (2000-10-27) 27 October 2000 (age 24) 14 0 Tanzania Azam
2DF Haji Mnoga (2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 (age 23) 13 0 England Salford City
2DF Pascal Msindo (2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 (age 22) 4 0 Tanzania Azam
2DF Ibrahim Ame (1993-03-12) 12 March 1993 (age 32) 2 0 Tanzania Mashujaa
2DF Miraji Abdallah (2004-06-30) 30 June 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Tanzania Coastal Union
2DF Abdulrazack Hamza (2003-03-23) 23 March 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Tanzania Simba
3MF Feisal Salum (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 27) 41 4 Tanzania Azam
3MF Mudathir Yahya (1995-05-06) 6 May 1995 (age 30) 32 1 Tanzania Young Africans
3MF Novatus Miroshi (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 (age 22) 25 3 Turkey Göztepe
3MF Charles M'Mombwa (1998-03-14) 14 March 1998 (age 27) 9 1 Australia Newcastle Jets
3MF Yusuph Kagoma (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 (age 29) 0 0 Tanzania Simba
4FW Simon Msuva (1993-10-02) 2 October 1993 (age 31) 76 19 Iraq Al-Talaba
4FW Kibu Denis (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 (age 26) 19 0 Tanzania Simba
4FW Iddy Seleman Nado (1995-11-03) 3 November 1995 (age 29) 12 0 Tanzania Azam
4FW Clement Mzize (2004-01-07) 7 January 2004 (age 21) 9 0 Tanzania Young Africans
4FW Kelvin John (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 (age 22) 6 1 Denmark AaB
4FW Selemani Mwalimu (2006-01-19) 19 January 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Morocco Wydad AC

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 (1999-02-22) 22 February 1999 (age 26) 3 0 Tanzania Young Africans v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
GK Yona Geoffrey Amosi (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 26) 1 0 Tanzania Tanzania Prisons v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
GK Kwesi Kawawa (2001-12-05) 5 December 2001 (age 23) 3 0 Sweden Karlslunds IF v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
GK Aishi Manula (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 29) 64 0 Tanzania Simba v.  Mongolia; 25 March 2024
DF Bakari Mwamnyeto (1995-10-05) 5 October 1995 (age 29) 44 0 Tanzania Young Africans v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
DF Nickson Kibabage (2000-10-12) 12 October 2000 (age 24) 15 0 Tanzania Young Africans v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
DF Abdulmalik Zakaria (1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 (age 29) 2 0 Tanzania Namungo v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
DF Nathaniel Chilambo (1999-11-10) 10 November 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Tanzania Azam v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
DF Lameck Elias Lawi (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Tanzania Coastal Union v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
DF Miano van den Bos (2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 (age 22) 5 0 Spain Villena v.  Sudan; 19 May 2024
DF Kennedy Juma (1994-08-07) 7 August 1994 (age 31) 11 0 Tanzania Simba v.  Mongolia; 25 March 2024
MF Himid Mao (1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 (age 32) 79 2 Egypt Ghazl El Mahalla v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
MF Adolf Bitegeko (1998-12-26) 26 December 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Tanzania Azam v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
MF Abel Josiah (2010-11-04) 4 November 2010 (age 14) 1 0 Tanzania TDS TFF Academy v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
MF Hussein Semfuko (2004-05-17) 17 May 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Tanzania Coastal Union v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
MF Morice Abraham (2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 (age 22) 10 0 Serbia Spartak Subotica v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
MF Tarryn Allarakhia (1997-11-17) 17 November 1997 (age 27) 4 0 England Rochdale v.  Sudan; 19 May 2024
FW Edwin Balua (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 (age 24) 5 0 Tanzania Simba v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
FW Waziri Shentembo (1996-08-11) 11 August 1996 (age 29) 4 1 Iraq Al-Minaa v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
FW Cyprian Kachwele (2005-02-15) 15 February 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Canada Whitecaps v.  Guinea, 10 September 2024
FW Abdul Hamisi Suleiman (2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 (age 24) 7 0 Tanzania Azam v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
FW Ben Starkie (2002-07-23) 23 July 2002 (age 23) 6 0 England Basford United v.  Zambia; 11 June 2024
FW Mohammed Sagaf (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 27) 3 0 England 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

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
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 3 0 2 1 1 4
Argentina 1978 Withdrew Withdrew
Spain 1982 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 7 6
Mexico 1986 2 0 2 0 1 1
Italy 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
United States 1994 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 0 2 2 4
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 0 3
South Africa 2010 6 2 2 2 9 6
Brazil 2014 8 3 0 5 10 14
Russia 2018 4 1 1 2 4 10
Qatar 2022 8 2 4 2 8 10
Canada Mexico United States 2026 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.

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
Sudan 1957 to Ethiopia 1963 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Tunisia 1965 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Ethiopia 1968 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
Sudan 1970 to Ethiopia 1976 Did not qualify 12 2 6 4 13 25
Ghana 1978 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
Nigeria 1980 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 3 6 4 2 1 1 8 4
Libya 1982 Withdrew Withdrew
Ivory Coast 1984 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 3 4
Egypt 1986 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
Morocco 1988 to Mali 2002 Did not qualify 30 6 8 16 21 38
Tunisia 2004 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
Egypt 2006 to Gabon 2017 Did not qualify 24 6 10 8 20 36
Egypt 2019 Group stage 24th 3 0 0 3 2 8 6 2 2 2 6 5
Cameroon 2021 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 5 6
Ivory Coast 2023 Group stage 22nd 3 0 2 1 1 4 6 2 2 2 3 4
Morocco 2025 Qualified 6 3 1 2 5 4
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 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 Nations Championship record Qualification record
Appearances: 2 Appearances: 7
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 2 2 6 4 1 1 10 4
Sudan 2011 to Morocco 2018 Did not qualify 9 1 4 4 10 11
Cameroon 2020 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 3 4 4 1 2 1 2 2
Algeria 2022 Did not qualify 4 2 0 2 3 5
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 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

Tanzania has played in the African Games once.

African Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
Nigeria 1973 7th 3 0 0 3 3 7
Total 1/4 3 0 0 3 3 7

CECAFA Cup

Main article: 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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Tanzania para niños

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