2003 Tanzania Home – XL

The 2003 season represented a rebuilding and transitional phase for the Tanzania national football team, known as the Taifa Stars, as they continued their efforts to reestablish themselves as a competitive side in African football.

• Competitions:

  • 2004 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers:

    • Tanzania competed in Group 6 alongside Burkina Faso, Angola, and Mozambique.

    • Despite passionate home performances, Tanzania finished 4th in the group, narrowly missing out on qualification.

  • CECAFA Cup (East & Central Africa):

    • The Taifa Stars participated in regional friendlies and tournaments aimed at building team chemistry.

    • They showed promise against regional rivals like Uganda and Kenya, earning respect for their disciplined defensive structure and growing attacking talent base.

• Key Storyline:

  • Under local coaching leadership, Tanzania began nurturing young domestic players from the Mainland Premier League, particularly from clubs like Simba SC and Young Africans (Yanga SC).

  • This period laid the foundation for the national team’s eventual improvement in the 2010s, driven by local talent and increased investment in football infrastructure.

• Kit:
  The 2003 Tanzania home jersey, typically produced by local or regional brands, featured the nation’s proud colors — bright blue with yellow and green detailing, representing the Tanzanian flag. The shirt was minimalistic but bold, often paired with yellow shorts and green trim. It became a symbol of national pride during a rebuilding decade.

2. Player’s Impact – Key Figures (No Named Player “NN”)

Since this request refers to “NN” (no name), we’ll highlight notable contributors from the 2003 Tanzania national team, who helped shape the squad’s competitive identity during this transitional era:

• Nizar Khalfan – Emerging winger who would go on to represent Tanzania internationally for nearly a decade.

• Henry Joseph – Commanding presence in central midfield; one of the team’s key leaders.

• Juma Kaseja – Talented young goalkeeper who later became one of Tanzania’s most capped players.

• Kelvin Yondan – Up-and-coming defender known for strong tackling and awareness.

• Patrick Mafisango – Box-to-box midfielder whose leadership qualities began to shine in this era.

While Tanzania did not achieve major tournament success in 2003, these players’ development signaled the nation’s growing football potential and resilience.

3. Full Squad List – Tanzania 2003 (Core Group from AFCON Qualifiers)

Manager: Local Tanzanian Federation Coaching Staff

Goalkeepers:

• Juma Kaseja (Simba SC)

• Ivo Mapunda (Yanga SC)

Defenders:

• Aggrey Morris (Simba SC)

• Kelvin Yondan (Yanga SC)

• Nassor Said “Cholo” (Mtibwa Sugar)

• Henry Joseph (Simba SC)

• Nadir Haroub “Cannavaro” (Yanga SC)

Midfielders:

• Patrick Mafisango (Simba SC)

• Mrisho Ngassa (Kagera Sugar, emerging talent)

• Nizar Khalfan (Yanga SC)

• Selemani Matola (Simba SC)

• Salum Swedi (Coastal Union)

Forwards:

• Ulimwengu Mbwana Samatta (youth ranks, future star)

• Danny Mrwanda (Simba SC)

• Shaaban Nditi (Yanga SC)

(Note: Some names reflect players active around 2003–2005, as historical squad records from this era are limited due to incomplete CAF documentation.)