Tanzania national football team

Men's national association football team representing Tanzania

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

Tanzania

Nickname(s)| Taifa Stars
Association| Tanzania Football Federation (TFF)
Confederation| CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation| CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coach| Adel Amrouche
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|  121  (30 November 2023)[1]
Highest| 65 (February 1995)
Lowest| 175 (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
Appearances| 3 (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 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.

## History[edit]

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.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

## Results and fixtures[edit]

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

### 2023[edit]

Uganda v  Tanzania 24 March 2023 AFCON qualification|  Uganda | 0–1|  Tanzania | Ismailia, Egypt

|
|
|
|

16:00 UTC+2 |  | Report |

* Msuva 68'

| Stadium: Suez Canal Stadium
Referee: Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)

Tanzania v  Uganda 28 March 2023 AFCON qualification|  Tanzania | 0–1|  Uganda | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

|
|
|
|

20:00 UTC+3 |  | Report |

* Mato 90+1'

| Stadium: National Stadium
Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast)

Tanzania v  Niger 18 June 2023 AFCON qualification|  Tanzania | 1–0|  Niger | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

|
|
|
|

16:00 UTC+3 |

* Msuva 69'

| Report |  | Stadium: National Stadium (Tanzania)
Referee: Mohamed Al Sayd (Egypt)

Algeria v  Tanzania 7 September 2023 AFCON qualification|  Algeria | 0–0|  Tanzania | Annaba, Algeria

|
|
|
|

20:00 UTC+1 |  | Report |  | Stadium: 19 May 1956 Stadium
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)

Sudan v  Tanzania 15 October Friendly|  Sudan | 1–1|  Tanzania | Taif, Saudi Arabia

|
|
|
|

19:00 UTC+3 |

* Musab

| Report |

* Bajana

| Stadium: King Fahd Sports City

Niger v  Tanzania 18 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification|  Niger | 0–1|  Tanzania | Marrakesh, Morocco

|
|
|
|

17:00 UTC+1 |  | Report |

* M'Mombwa 56'

| Stadium: Marrakech Stadium
Attendance: 178
Referee: Lotfi Bekouassa

Zanzibar v  Tanzania 27 December Friendly|  Zanzibar | v|  Tanzania |

|
|
|
|

Tanzania v  Morocco 21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification|  Tanzania | v|  Morocco | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

|
|
|
|

19:00 UTC+3 |  | Report |  | Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa (National Stadium)

## Coaches[edit]

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

* Bert Trautmann (1975)
* Geoff Hudson (1977–1979)
* Slawomir Wolk (1979–1980)[3]
* Mahammed Msomali (1980–1981)
* Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
* Joseph Bendera[4] (1981-1985)
* Paul West (1985-1989)[5]
* Charles Boniface Mkwasa (1989-1992)
* Kayuni Dunday (1993-1995)[6]
* Clóvis de Oliveira (1995–1996)
* Badru Hafidh (1996-1998)
* Sylersaid Mziray (1998-1999)[7]
* 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–)

## Players[edit]

This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: New squad announcement [1]. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (November 2023)

|

### Current squad[edit]

The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against  Niger on 18 June 2023.[8]

Caps and goals correct as of 28 March 2023, after the match against  Uganda.
No. | Pos. | Player  | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Goals  | Club

|
|
|
|
|
|

| 1GK | Metacha Mnata |  (1998-11-25) 25 November 1998 (age 25) | 9  | 0  |  Young Africans
| 1GK | Beno David Kakolanya |  (1994-06-27) 27 June 1994 (age 29) | 1  | 0  |  Simba
| 1GK | Zuberi Foba Masudi |  (2002-05-23) 23 May 2002 (age 21) | 0  | 0  |  Azam

* * *

| 2DF | Bakari Mwamnyeto |  (1995-10-05) 5 October 1995 (age 28) | 26  | 0  |  Young Africans
| 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) | 15  | 0  |  Young Africans
| 2DF | Novatus Miroshi |  (2002-09-02) 2 September 2002 (age 21) | 12  | 2  |  Shakhtar Donetsk
| 2DF | Kennedy Juma |  (1994-08-07) 7 August 1994 (age 29) | 10  | 0  |  Simba
| 2DF | Ally Kibwana Shomari |  (2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 23) | 7  | 0  |  Young Africans
| 2DF | Ibrahim Hamad |  (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 26) | 0  | 0  |  Young Africans
| 2DF | Mohammed Hussein |  (1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 (age 27) | 0  | 0  |  Mwadui United
| 2DF | Kheir Makame Jecha |  (1996-08-23) 23 August 1996 (age 27) | 0  | 0  |  Kikosi Maalum Kuzuia Magendo
| 2DF | Lameck Elias Lawi |  (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 23) | 0  | 0  |  Coastal Union
| 2DF | Datius Peter |  (1998-11-26) 26 November 1998 (age 25) | 0  | 0  |  Kagera Sugar

* * *

| 3MF | Himid Mao Mkami |  (1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 (age 31) | 61  | 2  |  Ghazl El Mahalla
| 3MF | Mzamiru Yassin |  (1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 (age 27) | 36  | 0  |  Simba
| 3MF | Mudathir Yahya |  (1996-05-06) 6 May 1996 (age 27) | 22  | 0  |  Young Africans
| 3MF | Raphael Daudi |  (1996-11-09) 9 November 1996 (age 27) | 7  | 0  |  Ihefu
| 3MF | Ben Starkie |  (2002-07-23) 23 July 2002 (age 21) | 2  | 0  |  Basford United
| 3MF | Ayoub Idrissa Bilali |  (2001-07-27) 27 July 2001 (age 22) | 1  | 0  |  Goražde
| 3MF | Morice Abraham |  (2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 (age 20) | 1  | 0  |  Spartak Subotica
| 3MF | Adolf Bitegeko |  (1999-02-26) 26 February 1999 (age 24) | 0  | 0  |  Völsungur
| 4FW | George Tibar |  (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 23) | 0  | 0  |  Hatta

* * *

| 4FW | Simon Msuva |  (1993-10-02) 2 October 1993 (age 30) | 86  | 21  |  JS Kabylie
| 4FW | Ally Samatta |  (1992-12-23) 23 December 1992 (age 31) | 68  | 22  |  PAOK
| 4FW | Denis Kibu |  (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 (age 25) | 7  | 0  |  Simba
| 4FW | Abdul Hamisi Suleiman |  (2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 (age 22) | 7  | 0  |  Azam
| 4FW | Bernard Kamungo |  (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 21) | 0  | 0  |  FC Dallas

### Recent call-ups[edit]

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 | Aishi Manula |  (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 28) | 57  | 0  |  Simba | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023

* * *

DF | Charles Luhende |  (1989-01-21) 21 January 1989 (age 34) | 5  | 0  |  Kagera Sugar | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF | Haji Mnoga |  (2002-04-16) 16 April 2002 (age 21) | 3  | 0  |  Aldershot Town | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF | Abdallah Mfuko |  (1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 (age 30) | 2  | 0  |  Kagera Sugar | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
DF | Yahya Mbegu |  (2000-08-07) 7 August 2000 (age 23) | 0  | 0  |  Polisi | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023

* * *

MF | Feisal Salum |  (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 25) | 31  | 2  |  Young Africans | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF | Anuary Jabir |  (1996-11-08) 8 November 1996 (age 27) | 3  | 0  |  Kagera Sugar | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF | Sospeter Bajana |  (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 27) | 1  | 0  |  Azam | 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 22) | 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 | Yusuph Kagoma |  (1996-02-01) 1 February 1996 (age 27) | 0  | 0  |  Geita Gold | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
MF | Ramadhani Makame |  (1998-06-29) 29 June 1998 (age 25) | 0  | 0  |  Bodrumspor | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023

* * *

FW | Kelvin John |  (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 (age 20) | 6  | 0  |  Genk | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
FW | Said Khamis |  (2000-07-20) 20 July 2000 (age 23) | 4  | 1  |  Jedinstvo Ub | v.  Uganda, 28 March 2023
FW | Alphonce Msanga |  (2003-06-14) 14 June 2003 (age 20) | 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[edit]

As of 21 November 2023[9]
Players in bold are still active with Tanzania.

### Most appearances[edit]

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 | 81  | 1  | 2011–2021
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[edit]

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 | 21  | 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
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[edit]

### World Cup record[edit]

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 | 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 | 1  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 0
2030 | To be determined
2034
Total  |  | 0/25  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 42  | 12  | 12  | 18  | 44  | 60

### Africa Cup of Nations record[edit]

Main article: Tanzania at the Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations

Appearances: 2
Year  | Round  | Position  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
as  Tanganyika
1957 | Not affiliated to CAF
1959
1962
1963
as  Tanzania
1965 | Not affiliated to CAF
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 | Qualified
2025 | to be determined
2027 | Qualified as hosts
Total | Group stage | 4/36 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 14

### African Nations Championship record[edit]

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[edit]

Football at the African Games

Year | Result | M | W | D | L | GF | GA
1973 | 7th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7
Total | 1/4

### Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup[edit]

Main article: CECAFA Cup

## Head-to-head record[edit]

## Honours[edit]

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

## References[edit]

1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
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 Tanzania kinachocheza mchezo wa kufuzu AFCON 2023 dhidi ya Niger". Twitter. TFF Tanzania. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
9. ^ "Tanzania". National Football Teams.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tanzania national football team.

* Tanzania at CAF
* Tanzania at FIFA

* v
* t
* e

Tanzania national football team

General|

* Tanzania Football Federation
* History
* Managers
* Achievements
* Records
* Results

Stadiums|

* Benjamin Mkapa Stadium

Players|

* Squad
* Player category

Africa Cup of Nations|

* Summary
* 1980
* 2019

Other tournaments|

* CECAFA Cup

Other Tanzanian teams|

* U-23
* U-20
* U-17
* Women
* U-20
* U-17

* v
* t
* e

Football in Tanzania

Tanzania Football Federation

National teams|

| Men|

* National team
* Olympic (U-23)
* U-20
* U-17

|

Women|

* National team
* U-20
* U-17

League system|

| Men|

* Premier League
* First Division League
* Second Division League

|

Women|

* W-Premier League

Domestic cups|

| Men|

* Tanzania FA Cup
* Tanzania Community Shield

|

Awards|

* Footballer of the Year
* Top scorers

Lists|

* All-time Table
* Champions
* Clubs
* International footballers
* Foreign players
* Venues

Related articles|

* Maasai Football Federation

* Men's clubs
* Women's clubs
* Men's players
* Women's players
* Expatriate players
* Managers
* Referees
* Venues
* Seasons
* Records

* v
* t
* e

National and regional football teams of Africa (CAF)

North Africa (UNAF)|

* Algeria
* Egypt
* Libya
* Morocco
* Tunisia

West Africa (WAFU)|

* Benin
* Burkina Faso
* Cape Verde
* Gambia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Guinea-Bissau
* Ivory Coast
* Liberia
* Mali
* Mauritania
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Senegal
* Sierra Leone
* Togo

East Africa (CECAFA)|

* Burundi
* Djibouti
* Eritrea
* Ethiopia
* Kenya
* Rwanda
* Somalia
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Uganda
* Zanzibar1

Central Africa (UNIFFAC)|

* Cameroon
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Congo
* DR Congo
* Equatorial Guinea
* Gabon
* São Tomé and Príncipe

Southern Africa (COSAFA)|

* Angola
* Botswana
* Comoros
* Eswatini
* Lesotho
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mauritius
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Seychelles
* South Africa
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

Non-regional Members|

* Réunion1

Football in Africa portal 1 Regional team, an associate member of CAF but not a member of FIFA

* v
* t
* e

Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations

* CAF
* FIFA

International Competitions|

* CECAFA Senior Championship
* CECAFA U-20 Championship
* CECAFA U-17 Championship
* CECAFA U-15 Championship
* CECAFA Women's Championship
* CECAFA Women's U-20 Championship
* CECAFA Women's U-17 Championship

Club Competitions|

* CECAFA Club Cup
* CECAFA Nile Basin Cup

Current members|

* Burundi
* Djibouti
* Eritrea
* Ethiopia
* Kenya
* Rwanda
* Somalia
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Uganda
* Zanzibar

National Teams|

* Burundi
* Djibouti
* Eritrea
* Ethiopia
* Kenya
* Rwanda
* Somalia
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Uganda
* Zanzibar

Football in Africa portal

* v
* t
* e

National sports teams of Tanzania

* Badminton
* Basketball
* M
* W
* Cricket
* M
* M-19
* W
* Field hockey
* M
* W
* Football
* M
* W
* W-20
* W-17
* Handball
* Netball
* Rugby union
* Tennis

* Olympics
* Paralympics
* African Games
* Commonwealth Games

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template