Overview:
After a youth career at African Lyon, Ally Mbwna Samatta’s growth was organic with successful spells at Simba, TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo), Genk (Belgium), Aston Villa (England), Fenerbahce (Turkey), Antwerp (Belgium), PAOK (Greece) and now Le Havre in France.
AFCON 2025 (Round of 16):
- Sunday, 4th January 2026
- Morocco Vs Tanzania
- Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat city
Experienced Tanzania national team captain Ally Mbwana Samatta, 33, has seen it all in his illustrious football career.
After a youth career at African Lyon, Samatta’s growth was organic with successful spells at Simba, TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo), Genk (Belgium), Aston Villa (England), Fenerbahce (Turkey), Antwerp (Belgium), PAOK (Greece) and now Le Havre in France.
Samatta has played at two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championships and currently leads the Taifa Stars against hosts Morocco during a round of 16 contest.
This is the first time that Tanzania advances to such a stage in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), although they remain winless thus far.
Samatta addressed the media in the official pre-match press conference on Saturday at the main media center in Rabat city, flanked by the head coach Miguel Gamondi.
He tagged the opportunity to play at the round of 16 against the hosts as a special moment, calling upon support from the entire East African family.
“Playing at the round of 16 against Morocco the hosts is a special time for us. We are ready to give our best in the match. We call upon East Africans to rally behind us. It will not be Tanzania alone playing, but, East Africa as a whole” Samatta remarked.
Samatta has also called for collective duty from the Tanzanian players, many of whom he believes will not be unfazed by the hostile Moroccan crowd because they have played under similar conditions in the CAF inter-club competitions and during the Tanzania premier league matches.
His coach Gamondi praised the special role that the veteran forward is now playing on and off the field to the team.
“I have heard lots of Tanzanians speak about Samatta and asked his role on the team now. He might now be having the fast speed but his experience is crucial. Messi and Ronaldo do not have the same speed like they were as young players, but their roles on the team is unquestionable. This is Samatta for the Tanzania team” the Argentine born coach who has spent close to 25 years on the African continent spoke of the skipper.
Tanzania opened up their campaign with a 1-2 loss to Nigeria Super Eagles in Fes city before they held Uganda Cranes to 1-all draw at the Olympic stadium in Rabat.
In their final group C contest, Tanzania held Tunisia to a 1-all draw in Rabat to qualify with two points, among the four third placed countries.