TAIFA Stars have climbed up seven steps in the latest World FIFA rankings, the feat that was buoyed by their 1-0 victory over Niger in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The latest standings saw Taifa Stars taking the 123rd place from 130th position it occupied last month.
Since 2020, Tanzania has been doing well in the rankings, as it elevated from 135th place in 2020 to 131st in 2021.
Tanzania maintained the same position in 2022 before the graph improved in April 2023 by a step to 130th place prior to the recent seven-place climb.
Tanzania’s highest ranking was 65th, while its lowest ranking was 175th spot.
Apart from the men’s senior team still elevating seven steps, the women’s side has struggled in positions for the past three years; Tanzanian ladies are placed 152nd.
The women side’s highest ranking is 98th, while their lowest rank was 155th spot.
In the overall top in men’s ranking are Morocco who lead in Africa, but they are thirteenth in world rankings, followed by Senegal who are placed 18th in world rankings, and the third for Africa is Tunisia, who are placed 31st globally.
Algeria follows at the 33rd and Egypt occupies the 34th place.
Better-placed to Tanzania are neighbours; Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Kenya.
DR Congo occupy the 69th place, Uganda 92nd and Kenya are placed at 105th position.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has played a big role in Taifa Stars and it was her support and investment in sports infrastructures that brought a fortune to the country’s football scene.
Other than investing in the infrastructure, the Head of State has played a significant role in the development by providing different motivation packages to the clubs and national team whenever they win games.
That also motivated the fighting spirit in players and the country, through Taifa Stars climbed up in the ranks after fielding quality players from the Premier League, which is among Africa’s top five best.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa is among the officials and sports stakeholders who hailed the Head of State’s contribution during the recent parliamentary session in Dodoma following a prosperous success in sports.
“The Head of State has played a great role in boosting the sports sector in the country through different motivation packages in various competitions. The packages increase the players’ enthusiasm and proudly represent the nation in global games.”
