Tanzania Unveils Squad for 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations: Taifa Stars Ready for the Challenge
Tanzania has officially unveiled its squad for the upcoming 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from January 13 to February 11, 2024, in Côte d’Ivoire.
The announcement, made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and confirmed by the Tanzania Football Federation, introduces a 27-man squad led by skipper Mbwana Samatta.
Head coach Adel Amrouche is guiding the team, which includes 12 foreign-based players and 14 locally-based talents. Key players such as Samatta and Simon Msuva, the sole unattached player, are set to spearhead the Taifa Stars’ attack. Notable exclusions from the previous provisional squad include Abdulhamis Suleiman ‘Sopu’, Metacha Mnata, Khelfin Hamdoun, and the injured Twariq Ahmed.
Drawn in Group F, Tanzania will face tough competition from Morocco, DR Congo, and Zambia. The tournament’s Group Stage matches for Taifa Stars will take place in San-Pédro, 350km from Abidjan. The team’s journey kicks off on January 17 against World Cup semi-finalist Morocco, followed by clashes with Zambia on January 21 and DR Congo on January 24.
To progress to the round of 16, Taifa Stars must navigate through a challenging group stage. The team, having qualified for the tournament by finishing second in their qualifying group behind Algeria, aims to build on recent promising performances. Despite facing setbacks in the 2019 AFCON edition, Tanzania is determined to make an impact in its third appearance on the continental stage. With a focus on strategic preparation and tactical finesse, the Taifa Stars aspire to surpass previous achievements and leave a mark in the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Notable exclusions from the previous provisional squad include Abdulhamis Suleiman ‘Sopu’, Metacha Mnata, Khelfin Hamdoun, and the injured Twariq Ahmed.
Drawn in Group F, Tanzania will face tough competition from Morocco, DR Congo, and Zambia. The tournament’s Group Stage matches for Taifa Stars will take place in San-Pédro, 350km from Abidjan.
The team’s journey kicks off on January 17 against World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, followed by clashes with Zambia on January 21 and DR Congo on January 24. To progress to the round of 16, Taifa Stars must navigate through a challenging group stage.
The team, having qualified for the tournament by finishing second in their qualifying group behind Algeria, aims to build on recent promising performances. Despite facing setbacks in the 2019 AFCON edition, Tanzania is determined to make an impact in its third appearance on the continental stage.
With a focus on strategic preparation and tactical finesse, the Taifa Stars aspire to surpass previous achievements and leave a mark at the 2023 CAF African Cup of Nations.
Here’s the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Kwesi Kawawa (IFK Haninge/Sweden), Beno Kakolanya (Singida Fountain Gate FC), Aishi Manula (Simba SC)
Defenders: Ibrahim Hamad (Young Africans SC), Mohamed Hussein (Simba SC), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans SC), Dickson Job (Young Africans SC), Abdi Banda (Richards Bay/South Africa), Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC), Miano Danilo (Villena CF/ Netherlands), Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Town/England), Abdulmalik Zakaria (Namungo FC), Novatus Miroshi (FC Shakhtar Donetsk/Ukraine)
Midfielders: Mzamiru Yassin (Simba SC), Sospeter Bajana (Azam FC), Mohamed Sagaf (Boreham Wood FC/England), Ben Starkie (Basford United/England), Tarryn Allarakhia (Wealdstone /England), Feisal Salum (Azam FC), Maurice Abraham (RFK Novi Sad/Serbia), Himid Mao (Tala’ea El Gaish/Egypt), Mudathir Yahya Abbas (Young Africans SC)
Forwards: Kibu Dennis (Simba SC), Simon Msuva (Unattached), Mbwana Samatta (PAOK/Greece), Cyprian Kachwele (White Caps/USA), Kokola Charles M’mombwa ( Macarthur FC/Australia)