Tanzania have unveiled a 24-man squad for the Taifa Stars’ crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Nigeria.
The squad is dominated by players from the Tanzanian Premier League, with domestic heavyweights Young Africans (Yanga SC) and Azam FC providing the largest contingents.
Coach Miguel Gamondi has also included several foreign-based professionals as the AFCON co-hosts seek to revive their stuttering campaign.
The Taifa Stars are yet to register a victory in the qualifiers, having suffered a 2-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their opening fixture before playing out a 1-1 draw against Madagascar.
Those results have increased the significance of the upcoming encounters against Nigeria, with Tanzania hoping to collect valuable points against the Super Eagles.
Among the notable inclusions are Abdallah Hassani, who plays for Al-Ain’s reserve side in the United Arab Emirates, and Kagera Sugar’s Evastus Lukanima.
England-based midfielder Ben Starkie, who plays for Truro City, has also been handed another opportunity, having last featured for the Taifa Stars in June 2024.
United States-based Bernard Kamungo, who features for Major League Soccer outfit FC Dallas, is another notable inclusion.
Tanzania will travel to Nigeria for their matchday-three encounter against the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13.
The two countries will meet again four days later, on Tuesday, November 17, when Tanzania host the return fixture in Dar es Salaam.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Aishi Manula (Azam FC), Abdallah Hamisi (Al Ain SC, UAE), Zuberi Foba (Azam FC).
Defenders: Evastus Lukanima (Kagera Sugar), Ibrahim Abdulla (Yanga SC), Dickson Job (Yanga SC), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Yanga SC), Haji Mnoga (Patro Eisden, Belgium), Abdul Hamisi (Azam FC), Anthony Milio (Simba SC), Nathaniel Chilambo (Simba SC), Novatus Miroshi (Goztepe SK, Turkey), Alphonse Mabula (JS Kabylie, Algeria).
Midfielders: Himid Mao (Azam SC), Ben Starkie (Truro City, England), Feisal Salum (Azam SC), Charles M’Mombwa (Żabbar, Malta), Sheikhan Khamis (Singida BS), Cyprian Kachwele (FC Kryvbas, Ukraine).
Forwards: Simon Msuva (Newroz SC, Iraq), Kibu Denis (Al Nasr, Libya), Seleman Mwalimu (Yanga SC), Clement Mzize (Yanga SC), Bernard Kamungo (FC Dallas, USA).
