Taifa Stars will play another important qualifier against Niger on September 9 at the New Amaan Stadium Complex in Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national football team, the Taifa Stars, will have their star striker and captain, Mbwana Samatta, join the squad directly in Congo Brazzaville ahead of Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The match will be held at the Alphonse Massemba-Débat Stadium, formally known as Stade de la Révolution.
Following the Congo match, Taifa Stars will return to Dar es Salaam to prepare for another important qualifier against Niger on September 9 at the New Amaan Stadium Complex in Zanzibar.
Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, Taifa Stars assistant coach Jamhuri “Julio” Kihwelu explained that Samatta, who currently plays for French top-flight side Le Havre, could not travel to Tanzania like the rest of the squad due to scheduling and travel constraints.
Kihwelu confirmed that several other overseas-based players have already joined the camp, including Simon Msuva of Al-Talaba SC in Iraq, Charles M’mombwa from Malta’s Floriana FC, and Novatus Damian who plays for Göztepe FC in Turkey.
“We will depart early in the morning to Congo Brazzaville and, due to time constraints, we will have only one day of training before the match,” Kihwelu said. “However, considering that all players have been actively training with their respective clubs, we are confident of delivering a strong performance despite limited preparation together.”
The Taifa Stars currently sit second in Group E with nine points from five matches. Morocco leads the group with 15 points, while Zambia is third with six points from five matches. Niger follows with six points from four games, and hosts Congo Brazzaville have already been eliminated without a single point.
With high stakes in the final group matches, Tanzania will rely heavily on Samatta’s experience and goal-scoring prowess to secure a positive result in Brazzaville.
Coach Kihwelu emphasized the team’s determination to remain focused and disciplined, particularly given the limited time for collective training. Fans and football analysts will be watching closely as the Taifa Stars attempt to maintain their strong position in the group and keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The upcoming back-to-back fixtures, first in Congo and then in Zanzibar, will test the squad’s depth, stamina, and cohesion, making Samatta’s timely arrival a significant boost for Tanzania’s national team.
