Tanzania has named a 27 man squad that will take part in the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a team built around the experience of domestic heavyweights and the raw energy of emerging youth talent, with coach Hemed Suleiman naming a 27-man provisional squad for the home-based players' competition.
The squad, unveiled just weeks ahead of the tournament's kickoff on 2 August, reflects the deep local rivalry among Tanzania’s top clubs.
Finalists in the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup, Simba SC lead the pack with six players selected, matched only by Azam FC, while domestic league champions Young Africans surprisingly contribute just four.
What adds a unique edge to this year’s selection is the promotion of five promising players from the U20 ranks, underlining the federation's intent to prepare for the future while competing in the present.
Vedastus Masinde, Ahmed Pipino, Jammy Simba, Sheikhan Khamis, and Mishano Michael are all set for their senior CHAN debuts, injecting pace and unpredictability into the Taifa Stars line-up.
Coach Suleiman’s side will face a stern test in Group B, drawn against Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mauritania, and the Central African Republic.
The pressure will be on right from the tournament’s curtain-raiser, when Tanzania take on Burkina Faso in the opening match on 2 August.
With a squad combining seasoned players like Aishi Manula and Shomari Kapombe with rising stars eager to prove themselves, the Taifa Stars are aiming to make a strong impression in front of home fans and challenge for their best-ever CHAN finish.
Tanzania CHAN 2024 Squad
Aishi Manula Hussein Masalanga Yakoub Suleiman Shomari Kapombe Lusajo Mwaikenda Mohamed Hussein Paschal Msindo Ibrahim Hamad Dickson Job Wilson Nangu Abdulrazack Mohamed Vedastus Masinde Lameck Lawi Ahmed Pipino Mudathir Yahya Yusuph Kagoma Nassor Saadun Kibu Denis Jammy Simba Iddy Selemani Sabry Kondo Feisal Salum Sheikhan Khamis Clement Mzize Mishano Michael Ibrahim Hamad Abdul Suleiman