The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has addressed recent rumours regarding the potential exclusion of the Taifa Stars from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The East African nation secured its spot in the tournament after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Guinea in the final match of Group K.
Concerns Over CAF Regulations
On Thursday evening, social media reports surfaced suggesting that Tanzania could be disqualified due to alleged violations of Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations.
The controversy centres around a player, Muhamed Ame, who wore jersey number 26 when he came on as a substitute in the 76th minute. However, no player with that number was listed on the matchday squad.
In response to these allegations, the TFF provided a detailed explanation asserting that Ame was indeed eligible to play in the match against Guinea.
In a statement posted on X, the federation clarified:
We would like to inform the public that Ame was part of the 23-man squad for the match against Guinea. Before the match, Taifa Stars players were inspected by the opponents and commissioners and allowed to play.
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The TFF emphasized that they have not received any communication from CAF indicating that Ame’s inclusion was unlawful.
They urged fans not to let these reports detract from celebrating Taifa Stars’ victory.
Tanzania’s AFCON Journey
This upcoming tournament will mark Tanzania’s second consecutive appearance at AFCON.
In their last outing in 2023, they struggled to advance past the group stage.
As they prepare for the 2025 edition, the TFF remains focused on ensuring compliance with all regulations to maintain their position in this prestigious competition.
As discussions continue around this issue, fans and stakeholders are hopeful that any misunderstandings will be resolved swiftly, allowing Tanzania to focus on their campaign in Morocco next year.
More to follow