The winners and losers from Taifa Stars' AFCON Qualifiers’ squad 

The national side has unsurprisingly thrown up praise, debate, and criticism left right, and center.

A healthy mix of experienced heads and youngsters will be involved for Taifa Stars as they look to retain hope of qualifying for the 34 edition of the African Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast next year.

Here, The Guardian takes a look at the winners and losers from Amrouche's first squad as Tanzania ahead of the back-to-back games later this month.

Winner - Bakari Mwamnyeto

The signs were not good for Bakari Mwamnyeto when he was left out of the national squad for the October friendlies after a drop in form for his club, Young Africans, alias Yanga.

It was a telling omission, having been an important member of the group since making his debut in 2020.

A much-improved end to his club season has seen him restored to the national squad and he is likely to continue partnering with his clubmate, Dickson Job, in defense.

Winner - Feisal Salum

So important is the midfielder for Taifa Stars that he has been named in the squad, despite having not played competitive football since December 24 due to a legal tussle with his club, Yanga.

The technical bench has taken a big gamble which has drawn up strong responses of both praise and criticism.

Feisal has been a lynchpin of the midfield in recent times and will be a starter if fit.

Winner - Yahya Mbegu

The 22-year-old is a surprise inclusion in Taifa Stars’ bigger group but has been rewarded for an impressive season for Ihefu SC, which followed spells at Polisi Tanzania and Geita Gold FC.

The former Simba B outfit's left full-back has started 22 of 25 Premier League games for both Geita Gold FC and Ihefu SC this season.

He has attracted interest from Simba SC who are looking for an option that will give competition to Mohamed Hussein, the default number one choice in the outfit's backline.

Winner - Ibrahim Bacca

The Zanzibar-born central defender is a fringe player at Yanga but has not looked out of place when called to action by the club's head coach Nasreddine Nabi.

Bacca, however, is also surprised by his inclusion in the Taifa Stars squad.

Loser - Shomari Kapombe

Kapombe looked like a sure-fire bet to be in Amrouche’s squad as he played a crucial role in the 2022/23 CAF Champions League Group Stage games for Simba SC.

However, he has been axed at a time when his form at the club level is well above par.

His place in the first team is likely to be taken by his namesake, Kibwana Shomari, of Yanga.

Loser - Sixtus Sabilo

Despite scoring nine goals in the 2022/23 NBC Premier League for Mbeya City FC so far this term, Sabilo was left out of the squad- but he will no doubt have his eyes on future opportunities.

The uncapped player is only six goals behind the league's top scorer, Fiston Mayele of Yanga.

No other Tanzanian has scored more Premier League goals than Sabilo this season, but even netting after Amrouche’s appointment has not been enough to convince the technical bench.

Tanzania’s forwards include Mbwana Samatta, Simon Msuva, and Kelvin, all of whom play abroad, making it difficult for Sabilo to get a crack in the squad.

Loser - Mohamed Hussein

The left full-back is enjoying his best season in quite some time for Simba SC and has amassed five assists in 23 league appearances, which makes it strange indeed that he has been omitted from the Taifa Stars squad.

However, Hussein did not cover himself in glory in his last appearance for Taifa Stars against Uganda's Cranes when the two teams locked horns in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers' match played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Cranes' youngster, Travis Mutyaba, made the most of the fullback's mistake to score the all-important goal for the Ugandan squad.