REGIONAL RIVALRY: CAN TANZANIA OUTPERFORM UGANDA IN AFCON GROUP C’S EAST AFRICAN DERBY
Will Tanzania’s tactical preparation in Egypt be enough to overcome Nigeria and Tunisia? We analyse the Taifa Stars' AFCON 2025 path.
Tanzania is heading to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the fourth time, with the tournament starting in Morocco on December 21, 2025.
This East African team has been to the AFCON three times before: in 1980, 2019, and 2023. After their first showing in 1980, fans had to wait almost four decades to see them again in the 2019 edition in Egypt.
In 2023, Tanzania didn't move past the group stage, ending up fourth in a group with Morocco, D.R. Congo, and Zambia. The Taifa Stars, as they're called, lost their opening match 3-0 to Morocco, then tied 1-1 with Zambia and 0-0 with D.R. Congo.
Even with that record, they still earned their highest points ever at an AFCON in 2023.
So, how did Tanzania make it to AFCON 2025?
Under coach Suleiman Hemed, Tanzania clinched their spot in Morocco from a tough group featuring D.R. Congo, Guinea, and Ethiopia.
The match that secured their qualification was against Guinea, which they won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Simon Msuva. This victory put the Taifa Stars in second place behind D.R. Congo.
They ended up with 10 points from three wins, one draw, and two losses, while D.R. Congo topped the group with 12 points from four wins and two losses.
When will Tanzania be playing at AFCON?
With new coach Miguel Gamondi taking over from the fired Hemed, Tanzania finds itself in Group C with Nigeria, Uganda, and Tunisia.
Tanzania will start their Morocco run against Nigeria on December 23rd, play Uganda on December 27th, and finish the group matches against Tunisia on December 30th.
The first game against Nigeria will be at Fez Stadium, with the second against Uganda at Al Medina Stadium. The final group match against Tunisia is set for Stade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Abdellah in Rabat.
Who are Tanzania's key players?
Experienced striker Mbwana Samatta, playing for Le Havre in Ligue 1, will lead the attack in Morocco, along with veteran forward Simon Msuva from Al-Talaba SC in the Iraq Stars League.
In defence, Haji Ali Mnoga from Salford City in EFL League Two will be a key player. Mnoga could have played for both England and Tanzania but chose to represent the African nation.
Cyprian Thobias Kachwele, a defender with Whitecaps FC 2 (MLS Next Pro), is another player coach Gamondi is counting on. Kachwele was first called up to the Taifa Stars in 2024 for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mohamed Hussein of Young Africans, the Mainland champions, is also important. His consistent play at left-back adds stability to the defence.
What does Coach Miguel Gamondi say?
Before heading to their training camp in Egypt, Gamondi said his goal in Morocco is to bring something special to the Tanzanian fans.
We want to do something important for Tanzanian football and show the dedication of our players and the country. It's a big competition, but nothing is impossible. "We have to dream and believe," the coach said.
December is when our AFCON plan really gets going, and we'll use that time to improve the team and prepare to compete at the highest level.
We’ve mixed youth with experience, and this camp is a place to learn for everyone involved.”
On the opportunity to lead Tanzania at AFCON, Gamondi said, “I’m honoured to represent Tanzania, and the badge means everything—it represents the trust of millions.” This country is now a part of me.
Tanzania captain Shomari Kapombe commented on their preparations: Training has been tough but good, and we’re getting used to the new coaches, learning every day, and getting ready to give it our all.
Here’s Tanzania’s final 28-man AFCON squad:
Goalkeepers: Yakoub Suleiman (Simba SC), Hussein Masalanga (Singida BS), and 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: 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), and Iddi Selemani (Azam FC).
Forwards: Mbwana Samatta (Le Havre, France), Elias Maguli (Azam FC / Ufaransa), Shomari Lawi (Aalborg BK, Denmark), and Simon Msuva (Al-Talaba, Iraq).
THOMAS TUCHEL NAMES EXPANDED ENGLAND SQUAD FEATURING FOUR SURPRISE NEW INCLUSIONS
Thomas Tuchel hands maiden England call-ups to James Garner and Jason Steele while omitting Trent Alexander-Arnold.
James Garner from Everton and Brighton’s goalkeeper Jason Steele have earned their first call-ups to the England squad. Alongside them, AC Milan’s defender Fikayo Tomori and Tottenham’s forward Dominic Solanke have also been included. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw did not make the cut this time.
Jude Bellingham, despite being sidelined since early February due to a hamstring injury, is still part of the squad. Experienced centre-back Harry Maguire, now 33, has the chance to add to his 64 caps, while 20-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who started in the Euro 2024 final, is also selected. Both last represented England in September 2024 but have been rewarded for Manchester United’s recent good form, which has lifted them to third place in the Premier League.
Luke Shaw, pushing for inclusion, has been overlooked once again. Instead, Tuchel has called up Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, marking his first call-up since Tuchel took over.
This squad is larger than usual, with players arriving in two phases during the international window. Tuchel explained on the Football Association’s website that the first group includes players who haven’t played much recently, aiming to broaden competition for spots in the upcoming US tour. Then, from Friday to Saturday, another group will join, including some who’ve had a short rest, to mix things up for the match against Japan.
England will face Uruguay at Wembley on March 27, followed by a home game against Japan on March 31. Looking ahead, the World Cup kicks off on June 11 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with England considered among the contenders.
Here’s the full squad breakdown:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle), Jason Steele (Brighton)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)
WHY CAF STRIPPED SENEGAL OF THEIR AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS TITLE
Following a final walk-off, Senegal has lost its AFCON trophy in the boardroom, prompting an appeal to CAS by the FSF.
Moussa Niakhate finally spoke out after the Confederation of African Football’s shocking decision to take Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy away. After that wild walk-off in the final against Morocco, CAF backed an appeal and handed the host nation a 3-0 win by default. Senegalese players were furious; who wouldn’t be?
The boardroom decision completely flipped African football on its head. Two months after the final, the CAF Appeal Board tossed out Senegal’s victory and gave Morocco the win. It all started deep into stoppage time when VAR gave Morocco a penalty. Pape Thiaw, Senegal’s manager, lost it and told his players to leave the field. Eventually, they came back and finished the match. Still, officials said the walk-off broke tournament rules, so they took the title away. Brutal.
Niakhate, the 30-year-old defender who was key in Senegal’s backline, got asked about it before Lyon’s Europa League match with Celta. He’d already posted a photo with his medal and the trophy right after the ruling. He made it clear: nothing a boardroom says can erase what happened on the pitch. He said, “Out of respect for the club and with the crucial match in mind, I don’t want to go into too much detail. You saw my reaction on social media; it’s the same today. What I can say is that nothing has changed for me compared to what we went through in January. I’ll have time to talk about it again in due course; for now, I’m going to stay focused on Lyon.”
That final in Rabat was pure chaos, even before Senegal won 1-0 on the field. Most players followed Thiaw down the tunnel, but Sadio Mane stayed, urging his teammates to come back. Brahim Diaz took the penalty but tried a Panenka, and Edouard Mendy caught it easily. The game went to extra time, Papa Gueye scored, and Senegal thought they were champions again. It didn't matter; the walk-off cost them everything. The committee called it a 3-0 forfeit.
It’s harsh for a team that believed they’d gone back-to-back. Niakhate, who started six out of seven games, is now focusing on Lyon’s European campaign. Still, that boardroom drama isn’t going away, not with the international break coming up. Senegal’s already planning to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
