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Tanzania national football team
Men's association football team
Men's association football team
| Field | Value | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Tanzania | Nickname = Taifa Stars | |||||||||||
| Badge_size | 195px | ||||||||||||
| Association | Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) | ||||||||||||
| Sub-confederation | CECAFA (East & Central Africa) | ||||||||||||
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||||||||||||
| Coach | Vacant | ||||||||||||
| Most caps | Erasto Nyoni (107) | ||||||||||||
| Top scorer | Simon Msuva & Mrisho Ngasa (25) | ||||||||||||
| Home Stadium | Benjamin Mkapa Stadium | ||||||||||||
| FIFA Trigramme | TAN | ||||||||||||
| FIFA Rank | |||||||||||||
| FIFA max | 65 | ||||||||||||
| FIFA max date | February 1995 | ||||||||||||
| FIFA min | 175 | ||||||||||||
| FIFA min date | October–November 2005 | ||||||||||||
| Elo Rank | |||||||||||||
| Elo max | 75 | ||||||||||||
| Elo max date | 11 November 1979 | ||||||||||||
| Elo min | 168 | ||||||||||||
| Elo min date | 19 December 2004 | ||||||||||||
| pattern_la1 | _tan24h | ||||||||||||
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| leftarm1 | 0000FF | ||||||||||||
| body1 | 0000FF | ||||||||||||
| rightarm1 | 0000FF | ||||||||||||
| shorts1 | 0000FF | ||||||||||||
| socks1 | 0000FF | ||||||||||||
| pattern_la2 | _yellowborder | ||||||||||||
| pattern_b2 | _tan24a | ||||||||||||
| pattern_ra2 | _yellowborder | ||||||||||||
| pattern_sh2 | _shorts | ||||||||||||
| leftarm2 | FFFF00 | ||||||||||||
| body2 | FFFF00 | ||||||||||||
| rightarm2 | FFFF00 | ||||||||||||
| shorts2 | 0000FF | ||||||||||||
| socks2 | 0000FF | ||||||||||||
| pattern_la3 | _tan24t | ||||||||||||
| pattern_b3 | _tan24t | ||||||||||||
| pattern_ra3 | _tan24t | ||||||||||||
| leftarm3 | 000000 | ||||||||||||
| body3 | 000000 | ||||||||||||
| rightarm3 | 000000 | ||||||||||||
| shorts3 | 000000 | ||||||||||||
| socks3 | 000000 | ||||||||||||
| First game | 7–0 | ||||||||||||
| (Uganda; Date Unknown 1945) | |||||||||||||
| ''as '''Tanzania''''' | |||||||||||||
| 1–1 | |||||||||||||
| (Tanzania; 1 March 1969) | |||||||||||||
| Largest win | 7–0 | ||||||||||||
| (Jinja, Uganda; 1 December 1995) | |||||||||||||
| 0–7 | |||||||||||||
| (Kampala, Uganda; 1 December 2012) | |||||||||||||
| Largest loss | 0–9 | ||||||||||||
| (Tanganyika; Date Unknown 1956) | |||||||||||||
| ''as '''Tanzania''''' | |||||||||||||
| 8–0 | |||||||||||||
| (Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 11 September 1998) | |||||||||||||
| Regional name | Africa Cup of Nations | ||||||||||||
| Regional cup apps | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Regional cup first | 1980 | ||||||||||||
| Regional cup best | Round of 16 (2025) | ||||||||||||
| Captain | Mbwana Samatta | 2ndRegional cup apps=3 | 2ndRegional name=African Nations Championship | 2ndRegional cup first=2009 | 2ndRegional cup best=Group stage (2009, 2020) | 3rdRegional cup apps=3 | 3rdRegional name=COSAFA Cup | 3rdRegional cup first=1997 | 3rdRegional cup best=Third place (2017) | 4thRegional cup apps=36 | 4thRegional name=CECAFA Cup | 4thRegional cup first=1973 | 4thRegional cup best=Champions (1974, 1994, 2010) |
the men's team
| Sub-confederation = CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
(Uganda; Date Unknown 1945)
''as '''Tanzania'''''
1–1
(Tanzania; 1 March 1969)
(Jinja, Uganda; 1 December 1995)
0–7
(Kampala, Uganda; 1 December 2012)
(Tanganyika; Date Unknown 1956)
''as '''Tanzania'''''
8–0
(Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 11 September 1998)
The Tanzania national football team () 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 Hemed Morocco 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).
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.
On 19 November 2024 Tanzania won a narrow victory of 1–0 against Guinea which secured their fourth times Afcon qualification since 1980. A decisive goal by Simon Msuva sent them to the tournament in 2025. The Afcon finals are scheduled to take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 in Morocco.
Team image
Kit suppliers
| Kit supplier | Period |
|---|---|
| Germany Uhlsport | 2017–2023 |
| Tanzania Sandaland | 2023– |
Results and fixtures
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.
2025
- Díaz
- Moussavou
- Mwalimu
- Sosah
- F. Sakala
- Hosseinzadeh
- Mohebi
- Lookman
2026
Coaching staff
| Video analysis | TAN Gabriel Johnson |
|---|
Coaching history
:Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
- FRG Bert Trautmann (1975)
- ENG Geoff Hudson (1977–1979)
- POL Sławomir Wolk (1979–1980)
- TAN Mahammed Msomali (1980–1981)
- FRG Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
- ZAN Joseph Bendera (1981–1985)
- TAN Paul West (1985–1989)
- TAN Charles Boniface Mkwasa (1989–1992)
- TAN Sunday Kayuni (1993–1995)
- BRA Clóvis de Oliveira (1995–1996)
- TAN Badru Hafidh (1996–1998)
- TAN Sylersaid Mziray (1998–1999)
- TAN Mansour Magram (1999–00)
- GER Burkhard Pape (2000–01)
- TAN Mshindo Msolla (2001–02)
- KEN James Siang'a (2002)
- TAN Mshindo Msolla (2002–03)
- TAN Badru Hafidh (2003–06)
- BRA Júlio César Leal (2006)
- BRA Márcio Máximo (2006–10)
- DEN Jan Poulsen (2010–12)
- DEN Kim Poulsen (2012–14)
- TAN Salum Madadi (2014)
- NED Mart Nooij (2014–2015)
- TAN Charles Boniface Mkwasa (2015–2017)
- TAN Salum Mayanga (2017–2018)
- NGA Emmanuel Amunike (2018–2019)
- BDI Etienne Ndayiragije (2019–2021)
- DEN Kim Poulsen (2021–2022)
- ZAM Honour Janza (2022)
- TAN Dean Alty (2022)
- DEN Kim Poulsen (2022–2023)
- ALG Adel Amrouche (2023–2024)
- TAN Hemed Morocco (2024–2025)
- ARG Miguel Ángel Gamondi (2025–2026)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026.
Caps and goals correct as of 4 January 2026, after the match against Morocco.
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for Tanzania in the last 12 months. 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
| 2006–2015 |
|---|
| 25 |
| 103 |
|
| 2012–present |
|---|
| 3 |
| 22 |
| 89 |
|
| 2011–present |
|---|
| 4 |
| 16 |
| 84 |
|
| 2009–2023 |
|---|
| 5 |
| 12 |
| 22 |
|
| 1992–2002 |
|---|
| 8 |
| 28 |
|
| 2006–2011 |
|---|
| 8 |
| 34 |
|
| 2005–2011 |
|---|
| 7 |
| 20 |
|
| 2002–2011 |
|---|
| 7 |
| 51 |
|
| 2010–2021 |
|---|
| 7 |
| 107 |
|
| 2006–2021 |
|---|
| } |
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
| FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Total | 0/16 | 49 | 12 | 15 | 22 | 49 | 67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 to 1962 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1966 and 1970 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 | To be determined | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saudi Arabia 2034 |
Africa Cup of Nations
Main article: Tanzania at the Africa Cup of Nations
| Africa Cup of Nations record | Qualification record | Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | as Tanganyika (1961–1964) | as Tanganyika (1961–1964) | as Tanzania | as Tanzania | Total | Round of 16 | 4/35 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 23 | 99 | 25 | 32 | 42 | 100 | 134 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudan 1957 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United Arab Republic 1959 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ethiopia 1962 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ghana 1963 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tunisia 1965 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ethiopia 1968 | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sudan 1970 | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cameroon 1972 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egypt 1974 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ethiopia 1976 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | Did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Algeria 1990 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senegal 1992 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tunisia 1994 | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Africa 1996 | Did not qualify | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Burkina Faso 1998 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ghana Nigeria 2000 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mali 2002 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tunisia 2004 | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egypt 2006 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ghana 2008 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Angola 2010 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Africa 2013 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equatorial Guinea 2015 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gabon 2017 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | Round of 16 | 16th | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2029 | To be determined | To be determined |
African Nations Championship
| African Nations Championship record | Qualification record | Appearances: 3 | Appearances: 7 | Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Total | Quarter-finals | 2/7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 23 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 25 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivory Coast 2009 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sudan 2011 | Did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Africa 2014 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rwanda 2016 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Morocco 2018 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | Qualified as hosts |
African Games
| African Games record | Year | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Total | 1/4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGR 1973 | 7th | 3 |
Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup
Main article: CECAFA Cup
Honours
Regional
- CECAFA Cup
- COSAFA Cup
- Third place (1): 2017
Friendly
- Gossage Cup / Challenge Cup (5): 1949, 1950, 1951, 1964, 1965
;Notes:
- Shared titles.
References
References
- "Brother Danny: Taifa Stars Ilivyofuzu Kwenda Lagos 1980".
- "International Matches 1987 - Africa".
- "International Matches 1992 - Africa".
- "International Matches 1993 - Africa".
- "International Matches 1998 - Africa".
- (9 December 2025). "Kikosi cha AFCON 2025 Morocco". Tanzania Football Federation.
- "Tanzania".
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