MBWANA Samatta has been left out of Tanzania’s senior national football squad for the newly introduced FIFA series games.

Interim head coach Hemed Suleiman has instead turned to Young Africans SC’ Clement Mzize for one of the forward slots.

There was also no place for Young African SC defender Dickson Job, while Kennedy Juma, Aishi Manula, Aboutwalib Msherry, and Bakari Mwamnyeto are in the squad despite limited playing time for their clubs.

Simon Msuva has kept his place in the national squad after earning a move to the Saudi Arabia second-tier League side Al Najmah FC.

Azam FC midfielder Yahya Zayd has been recalled after almost five years out of the squad.

FIFA is launching a new project called the ‘FIFA series’. According to the new project, instead of the official friendly games on the FIFA calendar, a mini-tournament will be organized with the participation of national teams from different confederations.

One of the first such competitions is planned to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from March 18 to 26.

In addition to tournament hosts Azerbaijan, the mini-tournament will involve Tanzania as the only African team, Bulgaria representing Europe, and Mongolia from the Asian continent.

Tanzania will open their campaign against Bulgaria on March 22 at the Dalga Arena, the same day hosts Azerbaijan face Mongolia.

Taifa Stars will return to action on March 25 against Mongolia, while Azerbaijan faces Mongolia.

Taifa Stars full squad: 

Goalkeepers: Aishi Manula (Simba) Aboutwalib Mshery (Young Africans SC) Kwesi Kawawa (Syrianska FC, Sweden).

Defenders: Bakari Mwamnyeto, Ibrahim Hamad (Young Africans SC) Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC), Haji Mnoga (Aldershot Town, England), Mohamed Hussein (Simba SC), Novatus Dismas (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Kennedy Juma (Simba SC), Miano Danilo (SC Villena CF, Spain). 

Midfielders: Feisal Salum (Azam FC), Mudathir Yahya (Young Africans SC), Morice Michael (RFK Novi Sad, Serbia), Himid Mao (Tala'ea El Gaish, Egypt) Yahya Zaydi (Azam FC) Tarryn Allarakhia (Wealdstone, England)

Forwards: Clement Mzize (Young Africans SC), Simon Msuva (Alnajmah FC, Saudi Arabia),  Kibu Denis (Simba SC), Abdul Suleiman (Azam FC), Ben Starkie (Ilkeston Town, England) Charles M'mombwa (Macarthur FC, Australia)