Gamondi vows to deliver ‘something special’ for Tanzania at AFCON

Tanzania national team coach Miguel Gamondi believes they will be ready to take on the best during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The East African nation, who will be making their fourth appearance at the continental finals, have been pooled in Group C, where they will face neighbours Uganda, as well as Tunisia and Nigeria.

Gamondi has already unveiled a squad for the AFCON, the biggest headline being the presence of captain Mbwana Samatta, who returned to lead the side after rediscovering his form with French Ligue 1 club Le Havre.

Experienced forward Simon Msuva, now playing in Iraq, was also included after featuring in the provisional squad. Speaking ahead of the AFCON, Gamondi said Tanzania will do ‘more than our best’ to represent the nation.

Tanzania will open AFCON campaign against Nigeria

“It was not difficult to choose the 55, but selecting the final 28 was truly the hardest part. We will do more than our best to represent the country,” said Gamondi as quoted by the Daily News.

“We want to do something important for the image of Tanzanian football and for the dedication shown by the players and the nation. This is a big, big competition but nothing is impossible. We need to dream and believe.”

Defender Haji Mnoga, who plays for Salford City in England, is among the most notable overseas inclusions.

His experience at the 2023 AFCON adds valuable continuity to a defence that struggled at the last edition but showed improvement during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Tanzania will open their AFCON campaign against Nigeria on December 23 before facing Uganda four days later and concluding the group phase against Tunisia on December 30.

Tanzania’s final 28-man squad for AFCON;

Goalkeepers
Yakoub Suleiman (Simba SC)
Hussein Masalanga (Singida BS)
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 / Forwards
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)
Iddi Selemani (Azam FC)
Mbwana Samatta (Le Havre, France)
Elias Maguli (Azam FC / Ufaransa)
Shomari Lawi (Aalborg BK, Denmark)
Simon Msuva (Al-Talaba, Iraq)

Coach: Miguel Gamondi