Tanzania: TFF releases 53-player provisional squad for Afcon 2023

By Osoro Nyawangah, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

Tanzania’s national football head coach, Adel Amrouche, has selected 53 players for the initial squad of the national team (Taifa Stars) for the Finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which will be held from January 13 to February 11 next year in Ivory Coast.

Taifa Stars represents Tanzania in men's international football and is controlled by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), the governing body for football in Tanzania.

According to The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the number will be reduced to 27 players, although only 23 will be allowed to play in this third finals for Taifa Stars following failed attempts in 1980 (Nigeria) and 2019 (Egypt), both being removed from the group stage.

Taifa Stars is grouped in Group F with Morocco, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In the statement released by TFF, the Algerian coach also opted to call players playing overseas to challenge local players in team selection.

Adel Amrouche

Goalkeepers; Beno David Kakolanya (Singida Fountain Gate), Aishi Salum Manula (Simba SC), Aboutwaleeb Mshery (Yanga), Kwesi Zion Pira Kawawa (IFK Haninge, Sweden) na Metacha Borniphace Mnata (Yanga SC). 

Defenders; Mohamed Hussein (Simba SC), Kennedy Wilson Juma (Simba SC), Dickson Nickson Job (Yanga SC), Bakari Nondo Mwamnyeto (Yanga SC), Israel Patrick Mwenda (Simba SC), Ibrahim Abdallah Hamad ‘Bacca’ (Yanga SC), Lusajo Elukaga Mwaikenda (Azam FC), Nickson Clement Kibabage (Yanga SC), Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Town, England), Abdi Hassan Banda (Richards Bay FC, Afrika Kusini), Zion Chebe Alban Nditi (Aldershot Town, England).

Midfielders; Novatus Dismas (FC Shakhar Donetsk, Ukraine), Edwin Charles Balua (Tanzania Prisons), Abdulmalik Adam Zakaria (Namungo FC), Omar Abbas Mvungi (Nantes B, Ufaransa), Muzamil Yassin Said (Simba SC), Sospeter Israel Bajana (Azam FC), Baraka Gamba Majogoro (Chippa United, Afrika Kusini), Feisal Salum Abdallah (Azam FC), Mudathir Yahya Abbas (Yanga SC), Morice Michael Abraham (RFK Novi Sad, Serbia), Himid Mao Mkami (Talaea El Gish, Misri) na Ladaki Juma Chasambi (Mtibwa Sugar).

Forwards; Mbwana Ally Samatta (PAOK FC, Ugiriki), Saimon Happygod Msuva (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Roberto Yohana Nditi (Forfar Athletic FC, Scotland), Kibu Denis Prosper (Simba SC), Abdul Hamisi Suleiman ‘Sopu’ (Azam FC), Ben Anthony Starkie (Basford United FC, England), Matheo Anthon Simon (Mtibwa Sugar), Kokola Charles M'mombwa (Macarthur FC, Australia), Joshua Ibrahim Mwakasaba (Tusker FC, Kenya), Clement Francis Mzize (Yanga SC). - Africa