The East African nation will be making their fourth appearance at the AFCON. Tanzania has only played in three AFCONs, in 1980, 2019, and 2023. This resulted with Tanzania often struggling in the qualifying campaign, and outside the first 1980 edition debut, Tanzania had to wait for 39 years before qualifying to another AFCON.
Ahead of the 35th edition of the biennial tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which will be the second edition hosted by Morocco, Gamondi has named a strong start to start preparations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Morocco was originally scheduled to host the 2015 edition, but withdrew due to fears stemming from the Western African Ebola virus epidemic. Tanzania have been pooled in Group A alongside Nigeria, Tunisia, and East African neighbours Uganda.
Mbwana Samatta to lead Tanzania in Morocco
Lead striker and captain Mbwana Samatta, who currently plays for Ligue 1 club Le Havre, has been named in the squad by new coach Gamondi, who will take the team to Morocco after replacing Hemed Suleiman. Despite helping Tanzania secure the AFCON spot, Suleiman was later fired by Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).
The Argentine coach, who handled Mainland Premier League champions Young Africans, when he arrived in Tanzania, but is currently attached to Singida Black Stars, has also included veteran forward Simon Msuva of Iraq Stars League club Al-Talaba SC.
Defender Haji Ali Mnoga, who features for EFL League Two side Salford City, has also been shortlisted by Gamondi. Mnoga was eligible to represent both England and Tanzania at international level. He made his England U17 debut on February 10, 2019, coming on at half-time against Hungary U17 in a 4-1 penalty friendly win.
He debuted with Tanzania in a 3-1 friendly win over Central African Republic on March 24, 2022. Mnoga returned to play for Taifa Stars under the then coach Adel Amrouche during the 2023 AFCON. He started all three group-stage matches.
Tanzania finished bottom of Group F, with a 3-0 defeat to Morocco and two draws against Zambia, and the DR Congo. Despite these results, the Taifa Stars achieved their highest-ever points total at the AFCON.
Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro defender Cyprian Thobias Kachwele is in the squad, having earned his first call up to Taifa Stars in 2024, for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (held in 2024). He was then called up for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in September 2024, and debuted on September 10 against Guinea.
On being unveiled to replace Hemed, the 61-year-old pledged to build a strong and competitive national football team in readiness for the AFCON and future assignments. He further stated his goal was to work closely with local players and use his experience in the Tanzanian league to strengthen the team’s performance.
He said as quoted by Daily News: “I’ve tried to establish a clear identity for my team when attacking and when defending because I want a strong, well-balanced side. “We need to work even harder heading into the matches ahead.
“We’ll push to build a strong team so that we can get results in every game we play.”
Some of the local based players in the squad for AFCON include Hussein Masalanga (Singida Black Stars), Yakoub Suleiman (Simba SC), Yona Amosi (Pamba Jiji), Zuberi Foba (Azam FC), Iddi Selemani (Azam FC), Ibrahim Abduallah (Young Africans), Dickson Job (Young Africans), Feisal Salum (Azam FC), Ahmed Pipino (Azam FC), and Abdul Suleiman (Azam FC).
Others are; Morice Abraham (Simba SC), Pascal Msindo (Azam FC), Wilson Nangu (Simba SC), Mohamed Hussein (Yanga SC), Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC), Mukrim Abdallah (Singida Black Stars), Nassor Saadun (Azam FC), Elias Lawi (Azam FC), Yusuphu Kagoma (Simba SC), Shomari Kapombe (Simba SC), Mudhathir Yahya (Yanga SC), Athumani Makambo (Coastal Union), Vedastus Masinde (Simba SC), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Yanga SC), Iddi Kipagwile (Dodoma Jiji), and Vitalisy Mayanga (Mbeya City).
During the last AFCON edition in 2023, Tanzania were pooled in Group F alongside Morocco, DR Congo, and Zambia. They never got past the group stage as they lost the opener 3-0 against the Atlas Lions, drew 1-1 against Chipolopolo, and drew 0-0 against the Leopards.
Tanzania will kick off their campaign in Morocco against the Super Eagles on December 23, take on Uganda on December 27 before winding up their preliminary group matches against Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 30.
