AFCON 2025: Mbwana Samatta, everything you need to know about Tanzania

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

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

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.