Tanzania announce squad for crucial AFCON 2025 qualifiers against DR Congo
Tanzania has revealed the 24-man squad that will face DR Congo in a pivotal doubleheader as part of the CAN 2025 qualifiers. Head coach Hemed Suleiman has called up a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, including the return of captain Mbwana Samatta, who makes his comeback after a lengthy absence from the national team.
Suleiman’s squad includes six new faces who will be donning the Tanzanian jersey for the first time.
Abdulrazak Hamza, Suleiman Mwalimu, Nassor Saadun, Abdul Said, Khabib Halid, and Zuber Foba are among the debutants, adding depth and potential to the Taifa Stars’ lineup ahead of their crucial clashes with the Leopards of DR Congo.
The doubleheader, which will be played on October 7 in Kinshasa and on October 15 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, marks a crucial phase for Tanzania as they aim to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Taifa Stars will need to secure positive results from both encounters if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Captain Mbwana Samatta, currently playing for PAOK FC in Greece, is a key figure in Tanzania’s attack.
His return to the national side brings both leadership and firepower, qualities that the Taifa Stars will need to overcome a formidable DR Congo side.
Samatta’s experience on the international stage is expected to play a crucial role, especially as Tanzania looks to navigate two challenging fixtures.
Tanzania’s defense will be anchored by seasoned players like Mohamed Hussein from Simba SC and Dickson Job from Young Africans, while the midfield will feature stalwarts such as Himid Mao, currently playing in Egypt for Tala’ea El Gaish, and Feisal Salim of Azam FC.
The squad also includes exciting attacking prospects, with forwards like Cyprian Kachwele, who plays for Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada, and the returning Samatta expected to lead the charge upfront.
Here is the full list of the Taifa Stars squad for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers against DR Congo:
Goalkeepers:
- Ally Salim (Simba SC)
- Zuber Foba (Azam FC)
- Yona Amos (Pamba SC)
Defenders:
- Mohamed Hussein (Simba SC)
- Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC)
- Pascal Msindo (Azam FC)
- Ibrahim Hamad (Young Africans)
- Bakari Nondo (Young Africans)
- Dickson Job (Young Africans)
- Abdulrazak Hamza (Simba SC)
- Haji Mnoga (Salford City, England)
Midfielders:
- Adolf Mtasingwa (Azam FC)
- Khabib Halid (Singida Black Stars)
- Himid Mao (Tala’ea El Gaish, Egypt)
- Mudathiri Yahya (Young Africans)
- Feisal Salim (Azam FC)
- Suleiman Mwalim (Fountain Gate FC)
Forwards:
- Cyprian Kachwele (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada)
- Clement Mzize (Young Africans)
- Mbwana Samatta (PAOK FC, Greece)
- Kibu Dennis (Simba SC)
- Nasoro Saadun (Azam FC)
- Abdullah Said (KMC FC)
The inclusion of six new players alongside the more experienced figures in the squad highlights coach Hemed Suleiman’s strategy of blending youth with experience.
As the Taifa Stars prepare to face DR Congo, Tanzania will be hopeful that their mix of seasoned campaigners and debutants can deliver the results needed to secure a path to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.
All eyes will be on Tanzania as they take on DR Congo, with the nation eager to see how the Taifa Stars perform in these critical qualifiers.
