Tanzania national football team
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Nickname(s) | Taifa Stars | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Tanzania Football Federation | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | CECAFA (East & Central Africa) | |||
Head coach | Kim Poulsen | |||
Captain | Mbwana Samatta | |||
Most caps | Erasto Nyoni (103) | |||
Top scorer | Mrisho Ngasa (25) | |||
Home stadium | National Stadium | |||
FIFA code | TAN | |||
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FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 130 ![]() | |||
Highest | 65 (February 1995) | |||
Lowest | 175 (October–November 2005) | |||
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 | 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 Kim Poulsen from Denmark. 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
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
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
28 March 2021 AFCONQ | Tanzania ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
16:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: National Stadium Referee: Hassan Mohamed Hagi (Somalia) |
13 June Friendly | Tanzania ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
16:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: National Stadium Referee: Ramadhani Kayoko (Tanzania) |
2 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group J | DR Congo ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Lubumbashi, DR Congo |
15:00 UTC+2 | Mbokani ![]() |
Report | Msuva ![]() |
Stadium: Stade TP Mazembe Referee: Kalilou Ibrahim Traore (Ivory Coast) |
7 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group J | Tanzania ![]() | 3–2 | ![]() | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
21:00 UTC+3 | Report |
|
Stadium: National Stadium Referee: Mashood Ssali (Uganda) |
7 October 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Tanzania ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
16:00 UTC+3 | Report |
|
Stadium: National Stadium Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique) |
10 October 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Benin ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Cotonou, Benin |
14:00 UTC+1 | Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia) |
11 November 2022 FIFA World Cup Q. | Tanzania ![]() | 9–1 | ![]() | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: National Stadium Referee: Bernard Camille (Seychelles) |
14 November 2022 FIFA World Cup Q. | Madagascar ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Antananarivo, Madagascar |
16:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium Referee: Messie Nkounkou (Republic of Congo) |
2022
23 March Friendly | Tanzania ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() | |
Report |
|
29 March 2022 Friendly | Tanzania ![]() | v | ![]() | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
Stadium: National Stadium (Tanzania) |
Coaches
- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
Bert Trautmann (1975)
Geoff Hudson (1977–1979)
Slawomir Wolk (1979–1980)[2]
Mahammed Msomali (1980–1981)
Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
- Joseph Bendera[3] (1987)
- Paul West (1992)[4]
Sunday Kayuni (1993)[5]
Clóvis de Oliveira (1995–1997)
Badru Hafidh (1998)
- Sylersaid Mziray (1998)[6]
Burkhard Pape (2000–02)
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–)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the friendlies against Central African Republic and Sudan on 23 and 29 March 2022.[7]
Caps and goals are correct as of 29 March 2022, after the match against Sudan.[8]
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Aishi Manula | 13 September 1995 | 49 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Metacha Mnata | 25 November 1998 | 9 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Abutwalib Mshery | 0 | 0 | ![]() | ||
DF | Shomari Kapombe | 28 January 1992 | 81 | 1 | ![]() | |
DF | Mohamed Husseini | 1 November 1996 | 30 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Bakari Nondo | 5 October 1995 | 24 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Nickson Kibabage | 12 October 2000 | 13 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Dickson Job | 29 December 2000 | 9 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Israel Mwenda | 10 March 2000 | 5 | 1 | ![]() | |
DF | Haji Mnoga | 16 April 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Lusajo Mwaikenda | 27 October 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Faridi Mussa | 21 June 1996 | 37 | 1 | ![]() | |
MF | Jonas Mkude | 3 December 1992 | 36 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Mzamiru Yassin | 3 January 1996 | 34 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Novatus Dismas | 2 September 2002 | 8 | 2 | ![]() | |
MF | Aziz Andabwile | 12 May 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Zawadi Mauya | 26 November 1994 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Saimon Msuva | 2 October 1993 | 75 | 18 | ![]() | |
FW | Mbwana Samatta | 23 December 1992 | 66 | 22 | ![]() | |
FW | Feisal Salum | 11 January 1998 | 23 | 2 | ![]() | |
FW | Reliants Lusajo | 7 March 1990 | 7 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Kibu Denis | 4 December 1998 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Kelvin John | 10 June 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Ibrahim Joshua | 29 July 1994 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | George Mpole | 27 July 1998 | 2 | 1 | ![]() | |
FW | Ben Starkie | 23 July 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Tepsi Evance | 30 December 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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 | Ramadhan Kabwili | 20 October 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
GK | Wilbol Maseke | 8 August 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
GK | Juma Kaseja | 13 April 1985 | 79 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Erasto Nyoni | 7 May 1988 | 107 | 7 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Kennedy Juma | 27 September 1994 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Edward Manyama | 2 April 1994 | 5 | 1 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Kibwana Shomari | 21 November 2000 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Laurent Alfred Laurent | 20 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Yassin Mustapha Salumu | 12 July 1995 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Kelvin Yondan | 9 October 1984 | 97 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Eddy Francis | 17 December 1990 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
training camp, March 2022 |
MF | Ramadhan Chombo | 9 December 1987 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Meshack Mwamita | 13 August 2003 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Mudathir Yahya | 6 May 1995 | 22 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Salum Abubakar | 21 February 1989 | 49 | 1 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Yusufu Mhilu | 1 January 1997 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Himid Mao | 15 November 1992 | 60 | 2 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | John Bocco | 5 August 1989 | 82 | 17 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Iddy Nado | 3 November 1995 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Abdul Hamisi Suleiman | 26 February 2001 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Ayubu Lyanga | 23 March 1998 | 11 | 1 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Yohana Mkomola | 18 April 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Shaaban Idd Chilunda | 20 July 1998 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Hassan Dilunga | 20 October 1993 | 18 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Deus Kaseke | 27 August 1994 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Thomas Ulimwengu | 14 June 1993 | 50 | 7 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. |
Player records
- As of 29 March 2022[9]
- Players in bold are still active with Tanzania.
Most appearances
|
Top goalscorers
|
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 | |
![]() ![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
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 | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | 0/22 | 41 | 11 | 12 | 18 | 43 | 60 |
Africa Cup of Nations record
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 2 | ||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
![]() | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
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![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
![]() | Withdrew | |||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() ![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
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![]() ![]() | ||||||||
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![]() | Group stage | 24th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | 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 |
![]() | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
![]() | To be determined | |||||||
Total | Group stage | 2/6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
African Games
- Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.
African Games Record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA | |
![]() | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
![]() | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
![]() | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
![]() | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1991–present | See Tanzania national under-23 football team | |||||||
Total | 4/4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup
|
|
Honours
References
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- "Archived copy". brotherdanny5b.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "International Matches 1987 - Africa". www.rsssf.com.
- "International Matches 1992 - Africa". www.rsssf.com.
- "International Matches 1993 - Africa". www.rsssf.com.
- "International Matches 1998 - Africa". www.rsssf.com.
- "Kikosi cha". Facebook. Tanzania Football Federation.
- "Tanzania". National Football Teams.
- "Tanzania". National Football Teams.
External links
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tanzania national football team. |
- Tanzania at FIFA.com