Tanzania’s Taifa Stars have suffered a 2-0 defeat to Iran in an International friendly match played at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday.

Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh gave Iran the lead from the spot after 17 minutes. Mohammad Mohebi had been brought down inside the area and referee pointed to the spot.

Taifa Stars tried to re-organise themselves and pushed forward, but failed to find an equalizer.

Later defender Ibrahim Hamd deflcted Mohebi shot after 26 minutes for Iran to go 2-0 up.

In the second half Tanzania made changes bringing on Morice Abraham for Feisal Salum, Lusajo Mwaikenda on for Israel Mwenda, and Charles M’Mombwa went off for Abdul Sopu who came on.

Substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh later scored another goal for Iran, but it was ruled out for a handball.

Iran who are placed 21^st in the latest FIFA ranking had previously lost 2-1 to Russia in another International match played last week.

Tanzania also used the match to prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 slated for December 21 to January 18, 2026.

The Uganda Cranes will be all out to try and collect a positive result in their last FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G qualifier tie away to Algeria on Tuesday night.

With Algeria already through to the FIFA World Cup, Uganda in second place with 18 points will be hoping that they can collect a good result at the Stade Hocine Ait Ahmed to stand a chance of making it to the play-off.

After their 1-0 away win to Botswana few days ago, the Uganda Cranes have given themselves another chance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers play-off category.

Head coach Paul Put has made it clear they must compete against a good Algerian side. “We know what we need in this match and the players must go out and give their best,” added Put.

Cranes forward Jude Ssemugabi, the scorer in the Botswana win says the players are ready to give their best. “We need your support in this remaining game, and we promise you that we are going to work hard to win that game,” added Ssemugabi.

The four best group runners-up will advance to the play-offs to determine the sole CAF representative at the inter-confederation play-offs.

Meanwhile in matches played by teams from the CECAFA Zone Ethiopia suffered a 3-1 defeat to Burkina Faso, while Sierra Leone beat Djibouti 2-1 in Group A matches on Sunday. South Sudan also earned a point in their goalless draw against Togo in a Group B match played in Juba on Monday.

Action continues on Tuesday with Sudan playing away to DR Congo in a Group B match, while Rwanda also take on hosts South Africa in a Group C tie. In Group F matches Burundi play away to Gabon, while Kenya take on Ivory Coast in Abidjan. Somalia will also host Mozambique in a Group G match in Algeria.

Sudan’s Falcons of Jediane picked a point in their goalless draw against Mauritania in a Group B FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier tie played on Friday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The draw sends Sudan to 13 points behind second placed DR Congo with 19 points, and table leaders Senegal with 21 points.

The 2019 African champions Senegal humbled hosts South Sudan 5-0 in another Group B match played at the Juba National Stadium on Friday.

Ismaila Sarr netted a brace, while Sadio Mane and Cherif Ndiaye also got their names on the score sheet. Nicolas Jackson converted a penalty.

In another match involving a team from the CECAFA Zone, Rwanda suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Benin in a match played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. Togin Aiyegun scored the lone goal.

Rwanda with 11 points are placed fourth in Group C after nine matches, while Benin lead the Group with 17 points. South Africa who were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe are second with 15 points, and Nigeria third with 14 points.

Action continues on Monday when Ethiopia play away to Burkina Faso, and Djibouti battle Sierra Leone in Group A matches.

The World Football governing body, FIFA has appointed several members from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone on different Committees.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President, also a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive, Wallace Karia has been selected a Vice Chairman of the FIFA Beach Soccer Committee.

The development was announced few days ago by the world Football governing body.

In the Development Committee headed by Egypt’s Hany Abo Rida, Eritrea’s Milashu Isaak has been selected, Hersi Said, also President of Young Africans SC (Tanzania) is selected on the Men’s Club Competitions Committee.

Djibouti’s Mouhadin Ali is selected on the Youth Boy’s Competitions Committee, while Amina Mohamed (Djibouti) and Neema Haji are selected on the Youth Girl’s Competitions Committee.

Newly elected President of the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF), Francis Amin Michael has been selected on the Member Associations Committee, Edgar Watson (Uganda) and Mutasim Sirelkhatim (Sudan) on the Technical Development Committee, and Fahmo Ali (Somalia), Victoria Yongule Nasera (South Sudan) and Jacqueline Ndimurukundo (Burundi) are on the Women’s Football Development Committee.

Eritrea’s FA President Paulos Andemariam and Ali Abdi Mohamed, the Somalia FA President are selected on the Grassroots and Amateur Football Committee, and Kenya’s Hussein Mohammed on the Institutional Relations Committee.

CECAFA Acting President and President of the Burundi FA, Alexandre Muyenge and Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim (Kenya) and Osama Abobakir (Sudan) are on the Stadium and Security Committee.

Rwanda’s newly appointed President of the Football Federation, Fabrice Shema and Isayas Jira Bosho, President of the Ethiopia FA and CAF Executive Member are selected on the Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Uganda FA President Moses Magogo and Anne-Lisa Alida Kankindi (Rwanda) are selected on the Football Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Committee, and Samuel Asmare (Ethiopia) on the Football Social Responsibility Committee.

Souleiman Hassan Waberi, President of the Djibouti FA and a FIFA Council member is a member of the Futsal Committee.

FIFA stated that the listed composition of the standing Committees remains subject to further appointments conditional upon the approval of the FIFA Council.