Tanzania unveil U-17 AFCON squad as Serengeti Boys target strong showing in Morocco

Tanzania have officially named their squad for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Morocco in 2026, with head coach Eliezer Nsanganzelu assembling a youthful but ambitious side aiming to make an impact on the continental stage.

Nicknamed the Serengeti Boys, Tanzania head into the tournament drawn in a challenging Group C alongside football powerhouses Mali, Angola, and Mozambique—setting the stage for a demanding group phase that will test the team’s resilience and development.

The squad features a blend of players drawn from several academies and clubs, including Azam FC, Simba SC, Young Africans, and other emerging development sides across the country and abroad.

Among the notable inclusions are Abrahman Vuai Nassoro and Ismail Issa Likungujo (both Azam FC), Omar Juma Yahaya (Young Africans), Haji Ally Abdallah, Hassan Azizi Mkindi, and Kassim Selemani Juma (TDS), as well as Hussein Ally Mbegu (Simba SC) and Soann Adam Juma Shabani, who plies his trade with Grenoble Foot 38 in France.

The squad also reflects Tanzania’s growing emphasis on youth development, with several players representing academies such as African Sports, Kagera Sugar, and Fountain Gate, highlighting the widening pipeline of talent feeding into national team structures.

Coach Nsanganzelu is expected to rely on a disciplined tactical setup, blending physical intensity with technical organisation as Tanzania prepare to face some of Africa’s most established youth football systems.

Mali, in particular, arrive as one of the tournament favourites, while Angola and Mozambique are also expected to provide stern competition.

Despite the tough draw, optimism remains high within the Tanzanian camp, with the federation backing the squad to gain valuable experience and potentially spring surprises in Morocco.

The U-17 AFCON also serves as a qualifying pathway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, adding further significance to the tournament.

For the Serengeti Boys, the mission is clear: compete with courage, grow on the big stage, and put Tanzania firmly on the map of African youth football.