IN a bid to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup finals, Tanzania’s national football team, Taifa Stars, is set to be bolstered by key players, including those who are yet to join the team’s camp.

The players, including Novatus Dismas, Haji Mnoga, Kibu Denis as well as Simon Msuva, and several others from Azam and Young Africans who were participating in the Federation Cup final last Sunday in Zanzibar, are expected now to join the provisional national squad.

These players are among the 34 selected by Taifa Stars’ acting head coach, Hemed ‘Morocco’ Suleiman, for the crucial World Cup qualifying match against Zambia next week. 

Despite their inclusion in the squad, they have yet to report to the national team camp, raising questions about their availability.

Clifford Ndimbo, the Information Officer of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), addressed the situation, explaining that each player’s absence from the camp was due to valid reasons. 

“Each of the players has a reason for not being in the squad at the moment, but they all expect to join the Stars on Tuesday,” Ndimbo stated. “The players who are not visible but have been called are on other duties but will join the team when it returns to the country from Indonesia and then heads to Zambia for the World Cup qualifier.”

Taifa Stars recently played an international friendly match against Indonesia, which ended in a 0-0 draw. This match was part of their preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign. 

Upon returning from Indonesia, the team will immediately shift focus to the high-stakes encounter against Zambia in Group E of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Coach Morocco has been meticulously preparing his squad for the challenge ahead. The addition of key players from Simba, Azam, and Young Africans is expected to significantly enhance the team’s chances. These clubs have consistently produced top talent, and their players bring valuable experience and skill to the national team setup.

The absence of the aforementioned players has been a point of concern for fans and analysts alike. However, Ndimbo assured them that their late arrival will not disrupt the team’s overall preparations. 

“The timing of their arrival has been planned in such a way that they can integrate smoothly with the rest of the squad,” he explained. “We are confident that their participation in the recent Federation Cup final has kept them in top form, and they will be ready to contribute fully to the national team.”

As Taifa Stars gear up for the qualifier, the focus is on ensuring that the team is well-prepared both mentally and physically. The match against Zambia is crucial, as it could determine Tanzania’s chances of making it to the World Cup for the first time. 

The team has shown promise in recent years, and with the right combination of players and strategy, they aim to make history.

The Tanzanian football community is eagerly awaiting the outcome of this match, hopeful that Taifa Stars will rise to the occasion. The inclusion of star players from different top teams is seen as a positive move that could tip the scales in Tanzania’s favor.

The journey to the World Cup is never easy, but with determination, skill, and the support of their fans, Taifa Stars are poised to take on the challenge. 

The upcoming match against Zambia is a stepping stone, and the team’s performance will be closely watched by football enthusiasts both locally and internationally.