The Tanzania national football team, Taifa Stars, has arrived safely in South Africa in a confident and determined mood, ahead of their international friendly match against the host nation, Bafana Bafana. The match is scheduled to take place on June 6, serving as both a test and a warm-up ahead of the COSAFA Cup tournament.
Taifa Stars are in South Africa not only for the friendly fixture but also to continue their preparations for the upcoming COSAFA Cup, which kicks off on June 7.
Tanzania will open their campaign against Eswatini, followed by their second group match against Madagascar on June 11.
Speaking after the team’s arrival, head coach Hemed Morocco Selemani expressed his confidence in the squad, emphasizing their main goal is to perform strongly and achieve results that will push them further in the competition.
He also mentioned that after the friendly match, players from local giants Simba SC and Yanga SC will be released to rejoin their clubs, allowing room for other talents in the squad to step up and contribute.
The current Taifa Stars squad consists of 28 players, drawn from various leagues both locally and internationally.
The squad features a mix of experience and young talent, including players such as Ayoub Selemani, Wilson Nangu (JKT Tanzania), Ally Salim Mohamed Hussein, Yusuph Kagoma, Abdurazak Hamza, Valentino Mashaka, Shomari Kapombe, and Kibu Denis (Simba SC).
Others include Antony Remy, Pascal Msindo, Feisal Salum, Lusajo Mwaikenda, Iddy Selemani (Azam FC), and Mishamo Daudi (KenGold).
Also on the roster are Mirajy Abdallah (Coastal Union), Vedastus Masinde (TMA Stars), Ibrahim Ame, Idrissa Stambuli (Mashujaa FC), Dickson Job, Sheikhan Khamis (Yanga SC), as well as international-based players such as Ahmed Pipino and Selemani Mwalimu (Wydad Casablanca, Morocco), Hussein Masaranga (Singida Black Stars), Alphonce Mabula (Shamakhi, Azerbaijan), and Simon Msuva (Al-Talab, Iraq).
With a talented squad and high morale, Taifa Stars are aiming to make a strong impact in both the friendly match and the COSAFA tournament as they represent Tanzania on the regional stage.
