AFCON 2025: Mbwana Samatta, everything you need to know about Tanzania
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All original articlesTanzania has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in a row. After being eliminated in the first round in 2023 with only two points out of a possible nine, the Taifa Stars are certainly ambitious for 2025 in Morocco. They are in Group C with Nigeria, Tunisia, and Uganda.
The country
Capital: Dar es Salaam
Area: 947,300 km²
Population: 66,617,606 inhabitants
Official languages: Swahili, English
Inhabitants: Tanzanians
Motto: “Freedom and Unity”
Team nickname: Taifa Stars
Tanzania and the AFCON
Titles: 0
Finals: 0
Participations before AFCON 2025: 3
Host country: 0
AFCON record
1980: eliminated in the first round
2019: eliminated in the first round
2023: eliminated in the first round
AFCON record
9 games
0 wins
3 draws
6 losses
6 goals scored
18 goals conceded
Mbwana Ally Samatta, captain and star striker of the Taifa Stars
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At 32, Mbwana Ally Samatta may be playing in his last Africa Cup of Nations. With two edition appearances (6 matches, 2 goals) under his belt, the Tanzanian striker remains the driving force behind the Taifa Stars' attack.
Although he is the team's star striker, Mbwana Ally Samatta is far from being in top form. The Dar es Salaam native has struggled to regain his form since signing with Le Havre AC last summer. This season, he has not scored a single goal or delivered a single assist in nine Ligue 1 matches. He will not be approaching the Africa Cup of Nations in the best of conditions, even though his country is counting on him to finally shine at the tournament.
Miguel Gamondi, little time to prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
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Miguel Gamondi will be on the bench for the Taifa Stars.
In early November, the Tanzanian Football Federation dismissed Hemed Suleiman. Shortly thereafter, the TFF officially announced the appointment of Argentine Miguel Angel Gamondi. Gamondi will have the daunting task of leading the Taifa Stars to their first victory and helping them advance past the first round. All this in a relatively short period of time.
Argentinian coach Miguel Gamondi caught the eye of the Federation's leaders after his colossal work with Singida Black Stars FC. He achieved the feat of qualifying the Tanzanian club for the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Miguel Gamondi is a true connoisseur of African football. He has traveled all over the continent, coaching several clubs. He has coached Mamelodi Sundowns, Hassania Union Sport d'Agadir, CR Belouizdad, Ittihad Tanger, Young Africans, and others.