Miguel Gamondi names a bold Tanzania AFCON squad as the Taifa Stars target their first-ever knockout-stage appearance in Morocco
Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi has unveiled the Tanzania AFCON squad, confirming a 28-man group that he believes can guide the Taifa Stars beyond the group stage for the first time in their history at the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
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Gamondi introduced the final list in Dar es Salaam after an earlier provisional squad, emphasising a blend of locally based talent with key overseas players.
His selection arrives as Tanzania prepare for a demanding Group A campaign against Nigeria, Tunisia and Uganda.
Captain Mbwana Samatta, in resurgent form with Le Havre in France’s Ligue 1, headlines the squad after reclaiming his scoring rhythm.
Experienced forward Simon Msuva, who now plays in Iraq, also retains his place following strong performances in training and in the provisional group.
Gamondi said his focus was on building a strong, well-balanced team with deep understanding of Tanzanian football’s identity.
The final squad reflects this philosophy, with standout domestic performers Feisal Salum, Pascal Msindo, Yakoub Suleiman and Mohammed Hussein all included.
Young prospects Kelvin Nashon and Novatus Dismas also make the cut, signalling the coach’s confidence in emerging players.
One of the most notable overseas call-ups is defender Haji Mnoga of Salford City in England.
His experience from the 2023 edition delivers vital continuity to a defence that has shown improvement during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Tanzania recorded their highest-ever AFCON points tally in 2023, and Gamondi has urged his side to push for results in every match.
He believes this squad carries the resilience and belief needed to pursue a historic first appearance in the knockout rounds, describing their task as both challenging and thrilling a powerful opportunity to shape the nation’s footballing future.
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The Taifa Stars begin their AFCON campaign against Nigeria on 23 December, followed by Uganda on 27 December, before concluding the group stage against Tunisia on 30 December.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
