by Philip Richards

Double celebration for men and women’s football!
The men’s national team, Taifa Stars, have reached the finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). They stunned Guinea with a single goal from Simon Msuva in front of home fans at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium, Dar es Salaam, last November to book their trip to Morocco in December 2025. They finished second in Group H after the winners DR Congo.

The women’s national side, Twiga Stars, have also qualified for this July’s equivalent competition (WAFCON) which is also being played in Morocco. They are drawn in the finals in a group containing defending champions South Africa.

Rugby Union

Tanzania XV Select rugby team pictured after their victory over the visiting Tritons Rugby Club from the UK – Tanzania Rugby Team facebook page.

A recent tour by a British club side has highlighted the great potential Tanzania has to develop in terms of participation and competitiveness on the regional and international stage. A UK based touring side, Tritons RFC, were defeated by a Tanzania Select XV as part of their East Africa tour towards the end of last year and took the opportunity to offer coaching clinics to up and coming young local talent. This steady but strategic approach to realising long term potential follows on from similar support from other British clubs such as Bryncethin RFC in previous years. Whilst rugby in the country has a long way to go to match the proven talent of neighbouring Kenya, many commentators are noting that with 54 countries, 40 rugby unions but only 5 competing nations, there is vast untapped opportunity for nations like Tanzania to emerge as the next African powerhouse.
(Daily News, 17/11/24, Tanzania Rugby Facebook page)