Tanzania_women's_national_football_team
Tanzania women's national football team
Women's national football / soccer team representing Tanzania.
The Tanzania national women's football team, is the national team of Tanzania and is controlled by the Tanzania Football Federation. They are nicknamed the Twiga Stars.
| Nickname(s) | Twiga Stars | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Tanzania Football Federation | |||
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
| Sub-confederation | CECAFA (East & Central Africa) | |||
| Head coach | Oscar Mirambo | |||
| Captain | Amina Bilali | |||
| FIFA code | TAN | |||
| ||||
| FIFA ranking | ||||
| Current | 146  (15 March 2024)[1] | |||
| Highest | 98 (June 2009) | |||
| Lowest | 155 (August 2022) | |||
| First international | ||||
 Eritrea 2–3 Tanzania  (Asmara, Eritrea; 10 August 2002) | ||||
| Biggest win | ||||
Tanzania 12–0 Zanzibar  (Njeru, Uganda; 6 June 2022) | ||||
| Biggest defeat | ||||
 South Africa 6–1 Tanzania (31 August 2014) | ||||
| African Women's Championship | ||||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2010) | |||
| Best result | Group Stage (2010) | |||
The Twiga Stars qualified for their first CAF Women's Championship finals on 5 June 2010, after defeating Eritrea 11–4 on aggregate.[2]
2010
The Twiga Stars defeated Ethiopia in the preliminary round of the 2010 African Women's Football Championship on aggregate 4–2. The first leg was played in Addis Ababa on 8 March. Tanzania won the match 3–1, with goals by Ester Chabruma, Mwanahamis Omary, and Asha Rashid.[3] The return leg played at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on 29 March ended in a 1–1 draw.[4]
In the first round of the African Championship, Tanzania defeated Eritrea on aggregate 11–4. The Twiga Stars won 8–1 in Dar es Salaam on 23 May and drew 3–3 in Asmara on 5 June.
After the Twiga Stars' success in qualifying for the African Championship finals in South Africa, a Tanzanian businesswoman, Rahma Al-Kharoosi, sponsored them to train in the United States for two weeks in August 2010.[5] Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete donated 53 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately US$30,000) on 9 June to cover training camp expenses and allowances before the championship tournament.[6]
Tanzania lost all three games in Group A of the African Championship, to host South Africa 2–1 on 31 October,[7] Mali 3–2 on 4 November,[8] and Nigeria 3–0 on 7 November.
They are the subject of 2010 documentary film Twiga Stars: Tanzania's Soccer Sisters by Nisha Ligon.[9]
2011
Tanzania qualified for the 2011 All-Africa Games in Maputo when its opponents in the qualifying rounds, Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan, declined to play.[10] The Twiga Stars finished in third place in the four-team Group B at the games. They lost to Ghana 2–1 on 5 September, drew with South Africa 2–2 on 8 September, and drew with Zimbabwe 2–2 on 11 September.
2012
In the preliminary round of the 2012 African Women's Championship, Tanzania defeated Namibia 2–0 in Windhoek on 14 January[11] and 5–2 in Dar es Salaam on 29 January.[12] In the first round, Tanzania lost to Ethiopia 2–1 in Addis Ababa on 27 May[13] and 1–0 in Dar es Salaam on 16 June.[14] Tanzania thus failed to qualify for the finals of the African Championship in Equatorial Guinea. The head coach, Charles Boniface Mkwasa, resigned two days after the last match with Ethiopia,[15] and the following day, Nasra Mohammed, the assistant coach, blamed inadequate financial support from the Tanzania Football Federation for the failure to advance.[16]
On 21 June, Mkwasa admitted that he had dismissed several players from the team after discovering that they had engaged in homosexual acts.
It is true that some of the players engaged themselves in homosexuality, but we removed them from the team as soon as we learnt of their behaviour. We took the decision regardless of the player's ability and contribution in the team. There is this problem that these players want to behave like their male counterparts, because they play football, they want to look like men players. But I have always been very tough on this. I have been talking to them, trying to counsel them on how they should behave and I think there is tremendous change on that area and of course their discipline is generally good.[17]
At a subsequent news conference, Mkwasa claimed he had been misquoted. Lina Mhando, the chairperson of Tanzania Women Football, called it a "non-existing scandal" and said there is no concrete proof of the allegations. The team manager, Furaha Francis, said that regardless of whether the scandal exists, it has been blown out of proportion and that there is no proof to substantiate the allegations.[18]
2014
Zambia defeated Tanzania in the first round of qualifying for the 2014 African Women's Football Championship on aggregate 3–2.[19]
2015
Tanzania has qualified for the 2015 All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo by defeating Zambia in the second round of qualifying on aggregate 6–5.[20]
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2023
v Tanzania
| 9 April 2023 (2023-04-09) Friendly | Algeria | 4–0 | Tanzania | Algiers, Algeria |
| 22:30 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Stadium |
v Tanzania
| 11 April 2023 (2023-04-11) Friendly | Algeria | 3–0 | Tanzania | Algiers, Algeria |
| 22:30 UTC+1 |
|
Report | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Stadium |
v Tanzania
| 11 June 2023 (2023-06-11) Friendly | Zambia | 1–0 | Tanzania | Zambia |
| 15:00 | Selemani  68' |
Stadium: Woodlands Stadium |
v Tanzania
| 7 July 2023 (2023-07-07) Friendly | Uganda | 3–1 | Tanzania | Kampala, Uganda |
|
Stadium: MTN Omondi Stadium |
v Tanzania
| 10 July 2023 (2023-07-10) 2024 Olympic qualifying | Congo | Cancelled | Tanzania | Brazzaville, Congo |
| Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat |
v Congo
| 18 July 2023 (2023-07-18) 2024 Olympic qualifying | Tanzania | Cancelled | Congo | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| Stadium: National Stadium |
v Tanzania
| 22 September 2023 (2023-09-22) 2024 AFWCON qualification First round 1st leg | Ivory Coast | 2–0 | Tanzania | Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast |
| 15:30 UTC±0 |
|
Report (FIF) | Stadium: Stade de Yamoussoukro Referee: Ghada Mehat (Algeria) |
v Ivory Coast
| 26 September 2023 (2023-09-26) 2024 AFWCON qualification First round 2nd leg | Tanzania | 2–0 (2–2 agg.) (4–2 p) | Ivory Coast | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| 16:00 UTC+3 | Stadium: Azam Complex Stadium | |||
| Penalties | ||||
| Note: 2–2 on aggregate. Tanzania won 4–2 on penalties. | ||||
v 
Botswana
| 26 October 2023 (2023-10-26) 2024 Olympic qualifying | Tanzania | 2–0 | Botswana | Dar es Salaam,Tanzania |
| 15:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: Azam Complex Stadium |
v Tanzania
| 31 October 2023 (2023-10-31) 2024 Olympic qualifying | Botswana | 0–1 (0–3 agg.) | Tanzania | Botswana |
| Note: Tanzania won 3–0 on aggregate. | ||||
v 
Togo
| 30 November 2023 (2023-11-30) 2024 AFWCON qualification Second round 1st leg | Tanzania | 3–0 | Togo | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| 16:00 UTC+3 | Report (FTF) | Stadium: Azam Complex Stadium |
v Tanzania
| 5 December 2023 (2023-12-05) 2024 AFWCON qualification Second round 2nd leg | Togo | 2–0 (2–3 agg.) | Tanzania | Lomé, Togo |
| 17:00 UTC+1 |
|
Stadium: Stade de Kégué Referee: Report (FTF) | ||
| Note: Tanzania won 3–2 on aggregate. | ||||
2024
v South Africa
| 23 February 2024 (2024-02-23) 2024 Olympic qualifying | Tanzania | 0–3 | South Africa | Dar es Salaam,Tanzania |
|
Stadium: Azam Complex Stadium |
v Tanzania
| 27 February 2024 (2024-02-27) 2024 Olympic qualifying | South Africa | 1–0 (4–0 agg.) | Tanzania | Mbombela,South Africa |
|
Stadium: Mbombela Stadium | |||
| Note: South Africa won 4–0 on aggregate. | ||||
Current Coaching staff
![[icon]](./File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2020) |
As of December 2023
| Position | Name | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Bakari Shime | |
| Assistant coach | Hilda Masanja |
Manager history
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2020) |
- Rogasian Kaijage (????–2021)
- Bakari Shime(2021–2022)
- Oscar Mirambo( 2022–present)
Current squad
- The following Squad were named for the 2024 2024 Olympic qualifying 3rd R against
South Africa 19 and 28 February 2024.[21] - Caps and goals accurate up to and including 30 October 2021.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1GK | Najiat Abass | (1997-04-02) 2 April 1997 (age 27) | JKT Queens | ||
| 5 | 2DF | Fatuma Issa | (1995-04-06) 6 April 1995 (age 29) | Simba Queens | ||
| 2DF | Julitha Singano | (2001-02-08) 8 February 2001 (age 23) |  Juárez | |||
| 8 | 2DF | Anastazia Katunzi | (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 23) | JKT Queens | ||
| 2DF | Happy Hezron | (1996-05-07) 7 May 1996 (age 27) | JKT Queens | |||
| 2DF | Christer Bahera | (2005-11-17) 17 November 2005 (age 18) | JKT Queens | |||
| 2DF | Violeth Nicholaus | (2005-02-09) 9 February 2005 (age 19) | JKT Queens | |||
| 3MF | Ester Mabanza | JKT Queens | ||||
| 8 | 3MF | Donisia Minja | (1999-08-09) 9 August 1999 (age 24) | JKT Queens | ||
| 11 | 3MF | Diana Msewa | (2002-11-05) 5 November 2002 (age 21) |  AUSFAZ | ||
| 4 | 3MF | Amina Bilali (Captain) | (2001-05-23) 23 May 2001 (age 22) | Yanga Princess | ||
| 3MF | Stumai Abdallah | (1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 (age 26) | JKT Queens | |||
| 17 | 3MF | Enekia Kasonga | (2002-05-20) 20 May 2002 (age 21) |  Eastern Flames | ||
| 3MF | Joyce Lema | (2006-10-15) 15 October 2006 (age 17) | JKT Queens | |||
| 12 | 3MF | Janeth Pangamwene | (2000-11-27) 27 November 2000 (age 23) | Yanga Princess | ||
| 3MF | Winfrida Gerald | JKT Queens | ||||
| 19 | 3MF | Irene Kisisa | Yanga Princess | |||
| 10 | 4FW | Opa Clement | (2001-02-14) 14 February 2001 (age 23) |  Beşiktaş | ||
| 4FW | Aisha Masaka | (2003-11-10) 10 November 2003 (age 20) |  BK Häcken | |||
| 4FW | Jamila Rajabu | JKT Queens | ||||
| Asha Ismail | ||||||
| Hasnat Ubamba | | |||||
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up to a Tanzania squad in the past 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Janeth Shija | |
v. Uganda, 7 July 2023 | |||
| GK | Gelwa Yonah | (1998-12-30) 30 December 1998 (age 25) | Simba Queens |
v. Algeria, 11 April 2023 | ||
| GK | Zulfa Makau | (2006-09-29) 29 September 2006 (age 17) | JKT Queens |
v. Togo, 5 December 2023 | ||
| GK | Husna Mtunda | (2005-05-31) 31 May 2005 (age 18) | Yanga Princess |
v. Togo, 5 December 2023 | ||
| DF | Noela Luhala | (2005-12-25) 25 December 2005 (age 18) | Yanga Princess |
v. Ivory Coast,26 September 2023 | ||
| MF | Koku Kipanga | = (2005-11-20) 20 November 2005 (age 18) | Simba Queens |
v. Ivory Coast,26 September 2023 | ||
| MF | Diana Mnali | (2006-09-11) 11 September 2006 (age 17) | JKT Queens |
v. Togo, 5 December 2023 | ||
| MF | Eto Hamisi | - | - | JKT Queens |
||
| MF | Aisha Juma | (2005-07-26) 26 July 2005 (age 18) | Simba Queens |
v. Togo, 5 December 2023 | ||
| FW | Amina Ramadhani | (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 26) | Simba Queens |
v. Algeria, 11 April 2023 | ||
| FW | Mwanahamis Omary | (1989-10-16) 16 October 1989 (age 34) | - | - | Simba Queens |
v. Algeria, 11 April 2023 |
| FW | Zuwena Azizi | (1997-11-28) 28 November 1997 (age 26) | - | - | Nahaj Sous |
v. Algeria, 11 April 2023 |
| FW | Zainabu Mohamed | (2006-11-01) 1 November 2006 (age 17) | JKT Queens |
v. Ivory Coast,26 September 2023 | ||
| Ester Mayala | Simba Queens |
v. Algeria, 11 April 2023 | ||||
| Lucy Mrema | Yanga Princess |
v. Algeria, 11 April 2023 | ||||
| Emiliana Mdimu | Yanga Princess |
v. Algeria, 11 April 2023 | ||||
| Protasia Mbunda | (1995-04-27) 27 April 1995 (age 28) | Fountain Gate Princess |
v. Uganda, 7 July 2023 | |||
| Ester Maseke | |
v. Uganda, 7 July 2023 | ||||
| Neema Paul | (1995-11-28) 28 November 1995 (age 28) | |
v. Uganda, 7 July 2023 | |||
| Sarah Joel | Fountain Princess |
v. Ivory Coast,26 September 2023 | ||||
Previous squads
- COSAFA Women's Championship
- CECAFA Women's Championship
- *Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 2020.
Most capped players
|
Top goalscorers
|
FIFA Women's World Cup
| FIFA Women's World Cup record | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD | |
 1991 | did not exist | ||||||||
| 1995 | |||||||||
 1999 | |||||||||
| 2003 | did not qualify | ||||||||
| 2007 | |||||||||
 2011 | |||||||||
 2015 | |||||||||
 2019 | |||||||||
  2023 | |||||||||
| Total | 0/9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Olympic Games
| Summer Olympics record | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD | |
| 1996 | did not exist | ||||||||
| 2000 | |||||||||
 2004 | did not qualify | ||||||||
| 2008 | |||||||||
 2012 | |||||||||
 2016 | |||||||||
 2020 | |||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||
| Total | 0/8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Africa Women Cup of Nations
| Africa Women Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 1991 | did not exist | |||||||
| 1995 | ||||||||
 1998 | ||||||||
| 2000 | ||||||||
| 2002 |
did not qualify | |||||||
| 2004 | ||||||||
| 2006 | ||||||||
 2008 | ||||||||
| 2010 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | |
| 2012 |
did not qualify | |||||||
 2014 | ||||||||
 2016 | ||||||||
 2018 | ||||||||
| 2020 |
Cancelled due to covid | |||||||
| 2022 |
did not qualify | |||||||
| 2024 |
Qualified | |||||||
| Total | 1/12 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 24 | |
African Games
CECAFA Women's Championship
Regional
Champions: 2021
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- "News: Algeria, Cameroon qualify for AWC". CAF Online. 2010-06-07.
- Nelly Mtema (7 March 2010). "Twiga Stars Shine in Ethiopia". Tanzania Daily News. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- FIFA.com (23 March 2010). "Africa's Road to Germany Begins". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- Evance Ng'ingo (6 June 2010). "Twiga Stars US trip now a reality". Daily News. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- Majuto Omary. "Twiga Stars get Sh53m support". Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- Nisha Ligon. "Twiga Stars: Tanzania's Soccer Sisters". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- "Kikosi cha Timu ya Taifa ya wanawake ya Tanzania "Twiga Stars" kinachoanza kwenye mchezo wa kufuzu Olimpiki dhidi ya Afrika Kusini "Banyana Banyana" @twigastars". twitter.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.