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).
WHY DID CRISTIANO RONALDO CRY? LUKA MODRIC EXPOSES JOSE MOURINHO’S HARSHEST LECTURE
Luka Modric reveals Jose Mourinho once reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears at Real Madrid for failing to track back defensively.
Luka Modric says that Jose Mourinho once gave Cristiano Ronaldo such a harsh lecture that the guy was in tears.
Ronaldo, who's 40 now, played really well under Mourinho, who's 62. They were together at Real Madrid for three seasons, but apparently, they didn't always get along off the field.
Even though things got off to a slow start, the Portuguese superstar still managed to score 168 goals in 164 games while playing for Mourinho. He also helped Mourinho win three trophies in his first two seasons.
But get this: even with superstars like Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria on his team, Mourinho was still super critical of Ronaldo's effort on defense.
Modric, who Mourinho signed from Tottenham back in 2013, told a story about one argument that made Ronaldo cry. Apparently, it was because he didn't chase after his assigned player.
"I saw him make Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the locker room," Modric told Corriere della Sera, an Italian news outlet. Can you believe it? A guy who always gives it his all on the field, and he's getting yelled at because he didn't chase some defender.
Modric moved to Real Madrid in 2013 and only played under Mourinho for a year.
Modric, who played alongside Kaka and Mesut Ozil in the midfield after arriving for a big £33 million, didn't say which game the argument happened in.
Guillem Balague, a Spanish soccer journalist, wrote in Ronaldo's biography that Ronaldo and Mourinho almost fought after Mourinho yelled at him in the locker room following a 2-0 win against Valencia in January 2013.
Mourinho was mad because Ronaldo didn't seem willing to help out on defense during the game. And Ronaldo supposedly replied, After everything I've done for you, this is how you treat me? How dare you say that to me!
Later that season, which turned out to be Mourinho's last with the team, Ronaldo was constantly asked about Mourinho's future. "I don't care," he said once. What I care about is my own future and the club.
This was a big change from earlier that year, when Mourinho said before the 2012 Ballon d'Or race, If Messi is the best on the planet, Ronaldo is the best in the universe!
After Mourinho left Real Madrid, he went on Spanish TV to talk about what caused the problems between him and Ronaldo.
"I only had one problem with him," he said. It was simple. When a coach gives a player feedback on tactics, they are trying to help them get better, in my opinion. He didn't take it well because he probably thinks he knows everything, and the coach can't help him.
Mourinho also said that they didn't really have a relationship. But time seemed to fix things, as he later said that coaching Ronaldo was the best thing that ever happened in his career.
Ronaldo also seemed to warm up to Mourinho later on, even saying that he was the best coach he ever had, even better than Sir Alex Ferguson. "I'd put him at the top; I always say that," Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo scored 168 goals in 164 games while playing for Mourinho during their three years together.
Even though Modric didn't win any trophies in his first season at Madrid, he was so impressed by Mourinho that he repeated something Mourinho famously said about himself.
He's special, as a coach and as a person, Modric said. He was the one who wanted me at Real Madrid. I wouldn't have come without him. I'm sad I only had him for one season.
Modric spent 13 years at Real Madrid, mostly managed by Carlo Ancelotti. Now he's at AC Milan and managed by Massimiliano Allegri. But he says Mourinho is the toughest of the three.
He added, "Mourinho is really direct with the players, but he's honest." He treated Sergio Ramos and new players the same way. If he had something to say, he'd say it. Max is the same way. He tells you what's right and wrong to your face. Honesty is key.
Modric also shared his opinion on the never-ending debate of who's better, Lionel Messi or Ronaldo, but said he doesn't really like talking about it.
"I don't like that question," he said. They both defined an era. I'm closer to Cristiano because I played with him; he was my teammate at Madrid, and I can tell you he's not just a great player, he's an amazing person. People don't know it, but he has a big heart and is always ready to help others. He's just a simple, normal guy.
He added, "I don't know Messi personally, but I'm sure he's great too." As a player, he's incredible.
CELTIC FANS DEMAND BOARD SACK WILFRIED NANCY AFTER SHOCK MOTHERWELL DEFEAT TONIGHT
Wilfried Nancy dismisses sack talk after Celtic's 2-0 loss at Motherwell. With Rangers closing in, the Old Firm looms large.
After Celtic's fifth loss in seven games under his leadership, Wilfried Nancy brushed off ideas that Saturday's Old Firm game would decide his future.
Tuesday's match at Fir Park, called 'El Passico' due to both teams' open play styles, saw Motherwell outperform the Frenchman's team. Ibrahim Said and Elliot Watt scored on either side of halftime.
The 2-0 defeat, Celtic's 17th this year, meant Hearts stayed three points ahead in the league, while Rangers closed in, now just three points behind Nancy's squad after a 2-1 victory over St Mirren.
At the end of the game, visiting fans chanted for the board to be sacked, and some even demanded the manager's immediate dismissal. When asked if his first derby was a make-or-break moment, Nancy responded, No, not really. Every game matters to me and the team.
I'm not focused on my future. I'm focusing on what I'm doing now, what I need to do to help the team get better, and what we need to do as a team to improve. That's how I see it.
When asked if he understood the fans' deep worry about the lack of progress during his time, Nancy was indignant.
Progress? "There is progress," he insisted. But tonight, the situation and the opponent were tough.
This is a fact. Now, we need to figure out how to get better, and that's what we've been working on from the start. Tonight was rough. That's the truth.
When questioned about feeling the pressure after such a bad start as the champion's manager, Nancy added, As a manager, I don't want this, obviously.
Pressure doesn't change how I think. We know we have to perform well.
But right now, this is how it is. I knew it could be like this. We've had good games at times. Tonight was a hard one.
Regarding whether he was sure he could turn things around, Nancy said, Yes, I'm sure. I had to make some choices about the team tonight. I believe in what we're trying to do and where we're going. This was a hard game, difficult for us, but I think we'll improve.
Motherwell's manager, Jens Berthel Askou, praised his team, saying it was probably their best game of the season.
"We knew we'd probably need our best, most solid, and most complete performance, both with and without the ball, to win," he said.
We've had really big and good performances, but they haven't led to wins against Rangers or Celtic. So, that's what we got, and that's what we needed. It was amazing to see.