Samatta leads a 28-man Taifa Stars team targeting first-ever knockout qualification.

Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi has released his final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, confirming the group tasked with pushing the Taifa Stars into the tournament’s knockout stage for the first time in history.

The squad blends key foreign-based stars with a strong home-based core from Simba SC, Young Africans, and Azam FC, reflecting Gamondi’s philosophy of building a team rooted in local identity and tactical cohesion.

Key Highlights

  • Mbwana Samatta, revitalised at Le Havre, returns to captain the team.
  • Veteran forward Simon Msuva also makes the final list.
  • Several standout local league performers — Feisal Salum, Pascal Msindo, Yakoub Suleiman, Mohammed Hussein — are retained.
  • Overseas inclusions include Haji Mnoga (Salford City) and Novatus Dismas (Göztepe).
  • Young prospects Kelvin Nashon and Novatus Dismas add depth and energy.

Gamondi, who took charge earlier this year, has urged his players to “push for results in every game,” as Tanzania seek to improve on their best-ever AFCON points tally achieved in 2023.

Group A Challenge

Tanzania face a tough group featuring Nigeria, Tunisia and Uganda.
They open their campaign against the Super Eagles on December 23, before playing Uganda (Dec 27) and Tunisia (Dec 30).

TANZANIA’S FINAL 28-MAN AFCON 2025 SQUAD

Goalkeepers

  • Yakoub Suleiman (Simba SC)
  • Hussein Masalanga (Singida BS)
  • Zuberi Foba (Azam FC)

Defenders

  • Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans)
  • Shomari Kapombe (Simba SC)
  • Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC)
  • Mohamed Hussein (Young Africans)
  • Nickson Kibabage (Simba SC)
  • Alphonse Mkabule (Shamakhi, Azerbaijan)
  • Wilson Nnang (Simba SC)
  • Novatus Dismas (Göztepe FC, Turkey)
  • Kelvin Nashon (Tanda Jiji)
  • Pascal Msindo (Azam FC)
  • Haji Mnoga (Salford City, England)
  • Dickson Job (Young Africans)

Midfielders / Forwards

  • Ibrahim Abdulla (Young Africans)
  • Habibu Iddi (Singida BS)
  • Tarrryn Allouche (Rochdale AFC, England)
  • Charles Mombwa (Floriana FC, Malta)
  • Morice Abraham (Simba SC)
  • Feisal Salum (Azam FC)
  • Ahmed Pipino (Azam FC)
  • Abdul Suleiman (Azam FC)
  • Iddi Selemani (Azam FC)
  • Mbwana Samatta (Le Havre, France)
  • Elias Maguli (Azam FC / Ufaransa)
  • Shomari Lawi (Aalborg BK, Denmark)
  • Simon Msuva (Al-Talaba, Iraq)

Coach: Miguel Gamondi