DAR ES SALAAM — Tanzania has confirmed a 27-man squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), with head coach Hemed Suleiman selecting a lineup built around players from the top three domestic clubs.
Simba SC and Azam FC each contributed six players, while league champions Yanga SC provided four. The squad reflects a mix of experience and recent club success, particularly Simba’s run to the CAF Confederation Cup final and Yanga’s league triumph.
The Taifa Stars will face Burkina Faso in the tournament’s opening match on August 2 at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The fixture will be part of Group B action, which also includes Madagascar, Mauritania, and the Central African Republic.
Coach Suleiman said the squad selection was based on performance and readiness for high-level competition. “The players we’ve picked have demonstrated consistency and discipline. We believe they are ready to represent Tanzania with pride,” he stated during the official announcement.
CHAN, a tournament reserved for players active in domestic leagues, offers Tanzania a chance to showcase its rising football talent on the continental stage. The last time the Taifa Stars participated in CHAN, they exited at the group stage.
This year’s squad includes familiar names with solid domestic form and players expected to anchor key positions in midfield and defense. Final preparations are underway, with the team scheduled to enter camp this week for intensive training ahead of kickoff.
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) expressed confidence in the team’s potential, citing improved local league standards and recent achievements by clubs in CAF competitions.
CHAN 2024 will be hosted across various cities, but all Group B matches involving Taifa Stars will be held at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
The Taifa Stars’ performance will be closely watched, with expectations high for progression beyond the group stage. The opening match against Burkina Faso will mark the start of a tightly contested campaign in one of the most competitive CHAN editions in recent years.
