Tanzania AFCON 2025 Squad, Fixtures, and Coach Expectations

Gamondi to Lead Taifa Stars to AFCON Morocco After Replacing Hemed Suleiman

Tanzania national team coach Miguel Gamondi has announced a provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

“We need to work even harder heading into the matches ahead...”

Tanzania's national team coach Miguel Gamondi has announced a provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, marking the country's fourth AFCON appearance. The Taifa Stars are gearing up to make their mark in the tournament.

Tanzania has a rich football history, but they've struggled to make a significant impact in AFCON qualifying campaigns. After their debut in 1980, they waited 39 years for another shot, which came in 2019, followed by their most recent appearance in 2023.

The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is just around the corner, and Morocco is gearing up to host the tournament for the second time. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the preparations are underway, with the event set to kick off in Tanzania.

The hosts, Tanzania, have been placed in Group A, where they'll face off against Nigeria, Tunisia, and Uganda. This promises to be an exciting group, with East African rivals Uganda providing a spicy addition to the mix. Morocco had initially been set to host the tournament back in 2015, but unfortunately, had to withdraw due to the Ebola outbreak.

Mbwana Samatta Kuongoza Tanzania katika AFCON 2025

Kocha mpya wa timu ya taifa ya Tanzania, Miguel Gamondi, amemtangaza Mbwana Samatta, mshambuliaji wa klabu ya Le Havre ya Ligue 1, kuwa nahodha wa kikosi cha Taifa Stars kinachotarajia kuwakilisha nchi katika michuano ya AFCON 2025 nchini Morocco. Samatta, ambaye alisaidia Tanzania kufuzu AFCON, anatarajiwa kuongoza timu hiyo katika michuano hiyo.

Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi has named a strong squad for Tanzania's AFCON campaign, drawing from his experience with local teams like Young Africans and Singida Black Stars. He's included veteran forward Simon Msuva, who's currently plying his trade with Al-Talaba SC in Iraq.

Defender Haji Ali Mnoga, who plays for Salford City in England's EFL League Two, has also made the cut. Mnoga is a familiar face in international football, having represented England at U17 level - he made his debut against Hungary U17 in 2019. With dual eligibility, he's opted to represent Tanzania, and Gamondi is banking on his experience.

Mnoga's Experience in the AFCON

Mnoga made his debut for Tanzania in a friendly match against Central African Republic on March 24, 2022, where Tanzania won 3-1. He was part of the Taifa Stars squad in the 2023 AFCON under coach Adel Amrouche, playing all three group-stage matches.

Tanzania's Performance in 2023 AFCON

Tanzania finished last in Group F, losing 3-0 to Morocco and drawing with Zambia and DR Congo. Despite this, they achieved their highest-ever points total in the AFCON, showing some promise for future tournaments.

Cyprian Thobias Kachwele, a defender from Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro, has earned a spot in the Taifa Stars squad. This is his first call-up for the national team, having been named in the squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and later for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

Kachwele made his debut for Tanzania on September 10, 2024, against Guinea. Meanwhile, coach Miguel Gamondi has pledged to build a strong and competitive national team, focusing on working with local players and leveraging his experience in the Tanzanian league to boost 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).

Kikosi cha awali cha @TaifaStars_ cha Fainali za AFCON 2025, Morocco pic.twitter.com/mfTovljtaF

— TFF TANZANIA (@Tanfootball) December 3, 2025

Tanzania's Previous AFCON Campaign

Tanzania was part of Group F in the 2023 AFCON, alongside Morocco, DR Congo, and Zambia. Unfortunately, they didn't advance past the group stage, losing 3-0 to Morocco, and drawing 1-1 with Zambia and 0-0 with DR Congo.

Upcoming Fixtures for Tanzania

Tanzania's AFCON 2025 campaign kicks off on December 23 against Nigeria's Super Eagles, followed by a match against Uganda on December 27, and wraps up with Tunisia's Carthage Eagles on December 30.