Fact File – Taifa Stars
Nickname: Taifa Stars
FIFA Ranking: 112 (As of November 2025)
Head Coach: Miguel Ángel Gamondi
AFCON Appearances: 5 (1980, 2019, 2023, 2025, 2027)
Best Finish: Group Stage (1980, 2019, 2023)
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Tanzania’s Taifa Stars head into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco seeking to break new ground as they target a historic first qualification beyond the group stage.
The Taifa Stars, ranked 112th in the latest FIFA rankings, will compete in Group C alongside Nigeria, Uganda and Tunisia under the guidance of Argentine coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi.
Tanzania qualified for AFCON 2025 as runners-up in a tough qualifying group that included DR Congo, Guinea and Ethiopia. The Taifa Stars finished with 10 points, scoring five goals and conceding six, edging Guinea by a single point to secure qualification.
The qualification campaign was not without controversy. In one of their previous AFCON campaigns, Tanzania’s clash with Guinea (Syli Nationale) sparked protests to CAF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), although the rulings ultimately went against the Taifa Stars.
At AFCON 2025, Tanzania will open their group-stage campaign against Nigeria on December 23, face Uganda on December 27, and conclude the group against Tunisia on December 30.
This edition marks Tanzania’s third consecutive AFCON qualification, a sign of gradual progress and growing competitiveness on the continental stage.
Under Gamondi, who was appointed by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) after leaving Singida Black Stars, the Taifa Stars are hoping for tactical stability and renewed belief. He replaced Hemed Suleiman, popularly known as Morocco, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Recent performances offer cautious optimism. Tanzania posted a respectable showing at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), reaching the quarterfinals before being eliminated by eventual champions Morocco. That run has injected confidence into the squad ahead of AFCON.
Historically, Tanzania have struggled to make a deep impact at AFCON, failing to progress beyond the group stage in all their previous appearances. However, their resilience in qualifying and improved organization suggest a team capable of causing surprises.
What to Expect
Tanzania enter AFCON 2025 as underdogs in a group featuring two former champions and a former finalist. While they are widely considered third favourites in Group C, the Taifa Stars will be aiming to translate qualifying form into tournament consistency, with fans hoping for stronger cohesion, disciplined defending and a more clinical edge in attack.
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