DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) announced late Wednesday the abrupt termination of the national team coach, Hemed Suleiman, just one month ahead of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals scheduled to take place in Morocco.
Hemed has been immediately replaced by Argentinian coach Miguel Gamondi, who will take interim charge of the Taifa Stars for the continental tournament, which runs from December 21 to January 18.
Contract termination and context
The federation confirmed the coaching change in a brief statement, citing a mutual agreement:
“The Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) has terminated head coach Hemed Suleiman’s contract by mutual consent,” the statement said, without providing further details on the sudden move.
Hemed Suleiman, who originates from the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, had taken the reins after his predecessor, Algerian Adel Amrouche, was dismissed one game into the previous AFCON finals in Ivory Coast in 2024.
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Amrouche was sacked after he publicly accused Morocco of exerting undue influence over the competition and referee appointments, an action that resulted in him receiving an eight-match touchline ban.
Mixed results under Hemed
Under Hemed’s leadership, the Taifa Stars successfully qualified for their fourth-ever Cup of Nations appearance and reached the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championships this year.
However, the team failed to secure a spot in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, finishing third in their qualifying group behind powerhouses Morocco and Niger.
The timing of his dismissal, so close to a major tournament, signals the federation’s desire for a change in leadership ahead of the finals.
