THE Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has announced that it will not be recruiting an expatriate coach for the national football team, Taifa Stars.

Instead, the federation has decided to maintain the current technical panel, led by local coach Hemed ‘Morocco’ Suleiman.

Coach Morocco, supported by Juma Mgunda, Jamhuri Kihwelo ‘Julio’, and Amri Kiemba, guided Taifa Stars to their fourth qualification for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place next year in Morocco. 

Morocco has been serving as caretaker coach following the suspension of expatriate coach Adel Amrouche.

Speaking in a recent interview, TFF president Wallace Karia (pictured) expressed satisfaction with the performance of the locally-led technical team.

“How can we give the team to another coach? We have Morocco (Hemed Suleiman) and Mgunda (Juma), who have shown that they are good. We have trust in them, and the team will remain with them,” Karia stated.

The TFF president highlighted Taifa Stars’ success under local leadership as evidence of the capability of Tanzanian coaches. 

He encouraged local gaffers to seek opportunities abroad to further enhance their skills and showcase their talent internationally.

“Local coaches have proved that they are capable of producing results everywhere and at different levels. What is needed is to trust them. But I am also calling upon them to seek new challenges outside the country,” he added.

While TFF supports local coaches for the national team, Karia declined to comment on the preference of some local clubs for foreign coaches. 

He noted that it is up to the clubs to decide but hinted that local coaches could deliver the desired results if given the opportunity.

“As TFF, we cannot tell clubs what to do on coaches, but it would have been wise if they trusted local coaches. I think local coaches are also capable of delivering the desired results,” he said.

Taifa Stars secured their place in AFCON 2025 by finishing second in Group H with 10 points, behind DR Congo. Tanzania’s qualification was sealed with a crucial 1-0 victory over Guinea on Tuesday.

The match-winning goal was scored in the 62nd minute by Simon Msuva, who plays for Iraq’s Al Talaba, after he connected with a well-timed pass from Mudathir Yahya. 

Guinea finished third with nine points, while Ethiopia was eliminated, sitting at the bottom of the group with just four points.

With the confidence of the TFF and the nation behind them, the Taifa Stars and their local coaching team are now focused on preparing for the prestigious tournament in Morocco.

---