Tanzania’s national team, Taifa Stars, will take on Guinea-Bissau today, Friday, September 25, 2026, at New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar in a Group L match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00pm East Africa Time.
Although Tanzania have already secured their place at AFCON 2027 as one of the tournament’s co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, the match is important for Taifa Stars as they continue building a team for the finals. Under the CAF qualification format, Tanzania have been placed in Group L alongside Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Under the qualification rules, Tanzania, as a co-host, will not need to qualify for the tournament through the group. Instead, the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will earn the additional qualification spot from Group L.
Gamondi Wants Genuine Competition
Taifa Stars head coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi has said the team will not treat the qualifying matches as ordinary preparations despite Tanzania already having a place at AFCON 2027.
Gamondi has stressed the importance of using these matches to build the team, improve the players’ understanding and prepare for the competition at the AFCON finals, which will be hosted in East Africa.
The match against Guinea-Bissau will also give Gamondi another opportunity to assess his players, with the squad strengthened by several players based outside Tanzania. Among those who have joined the Stars camp are Simon Msuva, Kibu Dennis, Cyprian Kachwele and Sabri Kondo.
Striker Bernard Kamungo, who plays for FC Dallas in the United States, is also among the players included in the Taifa Stars squad for this international window.
Simba Stars in the Squad
Taifa Stars have also included several Simba players in preparations for the match. They are Yusuf Kagoma, Vedastus Masinde, Bakari Msimu, Nathaniel Chilambo and Morice Abraham.
The presence of these players adds competition within the Stars squad, giving Gamondi an opportunity to continue building a team that combines experienced players with emerging talent.
A Match of Importance to Both Sides
For Guinea-Bissau, the match is part of their bid to secure a place at AFCON 2027, meaning they are expected to enter the game determined to achieve a positive result.
For Tanzania, despite already having a place in the finals, the match represents an important part of Taifa Stars’ preparations for the major tournament to be held on East African soil in 2027.
As a result, the attention of football fans across the country will turn to New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar to see how Taifa Stars begin their qualifying campaign while using these matches as part of their preparations for AFCON 2027.
