Binewa Team Profile: Tanzania at TotalEnergies AFCON 2023

By Mwambo E. Lyonga

Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the south; Zambia to the southwest; and Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania. According to the 2022 national census, Tanzania has a population of nearly 62 million, making it the most populous country located entirely south of the equator.

It is known for its vast wilderness areas. They include the plains of Serengeti National Park, a safari mecca populated by the “big five” game (Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhino), and Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain. Offshore lie the tropical islands of Zanzibar, with Arabic influences, with a marine park home to whale sharks and coral reefs. Tanzania is yes to establish itself as an African football powerhouse with only two previous appearances in the tournament, all ending in groups stage exits. They have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup as well.

Team Bio

The Taifa Stars of Tanzania made their Africa Cup of Nations debut in 1980 in Nigeria. Drawn in Group A with hosts Nigeria, Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire, coach Slawomir Wolk called up 16 home based players from Simba SC, Young Africans SC, Pan African FC, Moro United and Coastal Union FC.

March 8, 1980 remains a special date in the history of Tanzanian football, in front of 80,000 spectators at the Surulere Stadium in Lagos, they kicked their first ball in the AFCON.

Nigerian midfielder Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal opened the scoring for the Super Eagles at the 11th minute before Onyedika doubled their advantage at the 35th. Tanzanian midfielder Juma Mkambi endeared himself into Tanzanian football folklore when he scored their first ever AFCON goal at the 54th minute. Nigeria put the game to bed with a third goal at the 85th minute through the inevitable Segun Odegbami.

They rallied and put even a more valiant effort against Egypt in their second game. Forward Hassan Shehata opened the scoring for Egypt at the 32nd minute and his strike partner Mosaad Nour gave them a two-goal cushion before the end of the first half. Tanzania came back for the second half more determined and organized. Thuwein Waziri pulled a goal back at the 86th minute, but they failed to complete the comeback and recorded their second defeat.

In their final group game against Côte d’Ivoire, only national pride was at stake. When Koma opened the scoring for Côte d’Ivoire at the 7th minute, Waziri made sure that Tanzania secured their first AFCON point with his 59th minute equalizer, his second goal of the tournament. They finished bottom of the group with one point behind Nigeria with five, Egypt with four and Côte d’Ivoire with two points.

It took Tanzania 39 years to make their return in the tournament. Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON final hero, Emmanuel Amunike who scored both goals in their 2-1 win over Zambia in the final in Tunisia, worked signs and wonders on the Tanzanian bench and qualified them for 32nd edition of the tournament in Egypt. The draws did not favour them, they were drawn in Group C with eventual winners Algeria, Senegal and neighbors Kenya.

In their first game, Keita Baldé and Krépin Diatta were on target for Senegal with a comfortable 2-0 win. Against Kenya in their second game, they had their best chance for a win. Forward Simon Msuva gave them the lead at the sixth minute but Michael Olunga got Kenya’s equalizer at the 39th minute. Arguably Tanzania’s most gifted footballer, Mbwana Ally Samatta restored their advantage a minute later. But Johanna Omolo and Olunga again scored Kenya’s equalizer and winner in the second half to have the final laugh. In their final group game against Algeria, they were simply blown away. Islam Slimani and a brave from Adam Ounas secured all three points for the Desert Foxes.

Tanzania is yet to impress at the Africa Cup of Nations and still looking for their first win. Significant progress in their domestic championship is a good argument for them to fight for that elusive win in Côte d’Ivoire at the third time of asking.

The Journey

Tanzania were drawn in Group F with Uganda, Algeria and Niger. Despite failing to win in their first two games, with a 1-1 away draw with Niger and a 0-2 home loss to Algeria, Tanzania qualified as Group F runners-up.

The teams played against each other in a home-and-away round-robin format between June 4, 2022 and September 7, 2023.Algeria and Tanzania, the group winners and runners-up respectively, qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Earlier results

Game day 1

Niger 1-1 Tanzania

Game day 2

Tanzania 0-2 Algeria

Game day 3

Uganda 0-1 Tanzania

Game day 4

Tanzania 0-1 Uganda

Game day 5

Tanzania 1-0 Niger

Game day 6

Algeria 0-0 Tanzania

Qualifications group

Algeria 16 pts
Tanzania 8 pts
Uganda 7 pts
Niger 2 pts

Players to watch

Simon Msuva

Simon Happygod Msuva was born on October 2, 1993 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzanian plays as a forward for Algerian top flight side JS Kabylie. He was an integral part of the Tanzania team that participated in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. He is one of four Tanzanian players to have scored a goal in the AFCON before.

In the absence of Mbwana Samatta, Tanzanian hopes and aspirations are in the hands of their most capped player in the competition(86 caps). With three goals to his name in the qualifiers, the 30 year-old former Young African SC, Difaa El Jadida, Wydad Casablanca and Al-Qadsiah SC forward will be Tanzania’s most lethal weapon upfront in the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

Mzamiru Yassin

28-year-old Simba SC midfielder Mzamiru Yassin is one of the most experienced players in the Tanzanian team on the plane to Côte d’Ivoire. The native of Morogoro debuted with the Tanzania national team in a friendly 3-0 loss to Zimbabwe on November 13, 2016. He was an integral part of their team in the qualifiers for this tournament. The former Mtibwa Sugar midfielder will be the engine of the team in Côte d’Ivoire.

Aishi Manula

With 57 caps, Simba SC’s goalkeeper Aishi Manula will be another key member of the Taifa Stars in this tournament. The native of Morogoro began his career at Mtibwa Sugar FC. In 2012 he joined Azam FC at the age of 17. His performance and consistency helped him to join the first eleven. He joined Simba SC in 2017 where he helped the team to take the league cup and he took the golden glove. He helped Simba to four consecutive league titles.

Coach

Adel Amrouche

Vastly experienced 55-year-old Adel Amrouche is an Algerian football manager and former player who is currently at the helm of Taifa Stars of Tanzania. Having spent a large part of his career in Belgium, where he clinched his UEFA trainer-licence, Amrouche also holds a Belgian passeport.
He has a wealth of experience on the continent as former coach of the National teams of Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Kenya, Libya, Botswana and Yemen before Tanzania. He has also coached top African clubs like DC Motema Pemba, USM Alger and MC Alger. He certainly has a mastery of African football.

2023 AFCON matches Group F

Tanzania will kick-start its campaign against 1976 winners Morocco on January 17, and play against 2012 champions Zambia on the 21st and two time winners DR Congo on the 24th of January respectively.