Africa-Press – Tanzania. ARGENTINA’S Miguel Gamondi has officially committed his future to Tanzania, signing a twoyear contract to remain at the helm of the Taifa Stars through the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking at a signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Argentine tactician said he was optimistic about the team’s prospects and pledged to give his all to ensure Tanzania achieves sustained success and cements its place on the African football map.
“I love Tanzania and I love the football here. I believe we can achieve something special. We can put Tanzania on the map of African football and, with a strong programme and clear strategy led by Makonda and TFF, there is no doubt we can become a force in African football,” he said.
The agreement was signed at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, with Wallace Karia putting pen to paper on behalf of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF). The ceremony was graced by the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda.
The event also marked the formal launch of preparations for AFCON 2027, which will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya in a historic East African showpiece.
At the previous AFCON finals in Morocco, Gamondi guided Taifa Stars to the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history before their campaign was ended by the hosts — a watershed moment that raised expectations and belief among supporters.
Mr Makonda praised the coach’s impact, noting that despite limited preparation time ahead of the last tournament, he steered the team to the last 16.
“Gamondi has done a good job despite having limited time to prepare the Stars for AFCON. His impact was clear, setting a new record by reaching the round of 16. “I urge Tanzanians playing football overseas to recognise the importance of coming forward to serve their nation. Please get in touch with TFF and the coach for consideration on how you can contribute,” Makonda said.
The minister further encouraged stakeholders to ensure players receive comprehensive support, including specialised nutrition and peak physical conditioning.
“If there are any specific requirements the players need to represent the nation effectively, we must provide everything necessary — whether it is a specialised diet or enhanced fitness support — to ensure they are fully prepared for the finals,” he added.
Meanwhile, Makonda revealed that the government has intensified diplomatic efforts to secure support for stadium infrastructure. Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, has confirmed funding for the construction of FIFA Arena pitches across the country, with at least one facility earmarked for each region as preparations gather momentum.
