Tanzania’s Taifa Stars have lit up the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 with a performance that has left both fans and pundits hailing a new dawn for the country’s football. Marching through the group stage with an unblemished record — three wins in three matches — they have emerged as one of the tournament’s most disciplined and exciting sides.
Much of this success, observers note, is rooted not only in tactical preparation and player commitment, but also in the inspirational leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Her personal engagement in sports development — from investing in infrastructure to offering moral support — has propelled Tanzania’s belated but spirited rise on the continental stage.
By attending matches, encouraging the team, and championing reforms in sports governance, President Samia has signalled that football is more than entertainment; it is a national unifier and a source of pride.
This renewed momentum has seen the Taifa Stars confidently face seasoned African teams and outclass them with organised defence, swift counter-attacks and a newfound mental toughness. The 2-0 opening victory over Burkina Faso set the tone, followed by a hard-fought win against Mauritania and capped with a spirited 2-1 triumph over Madagascar.
Now, all eyes turn to the knockout stages — the quarter-finals, where Tanzania will meet a yet-to-be-announced opponent. A win there would propel them to the semi-finals and potentially to the historic CHAN final at month’s end. The nation dares to dream — and with the Stars in this form, dreams no longer seem out of reach.
