Tanzania, July 8 -- The Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) has described the retirement of Taifa Stars captain Mbwana Samatta from international football as premature, saying the veteran striker still had enough quality to serve the national team until the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

Speaking to _The Citizen_ yesterday, ZFF secretary general Hussein Ahmada Vuai said Samatta remains one of Tanzania's finest footballers and still has the ability to make a significant contribution to the national team.

Vuai noted that the 32-year-old forward continues to compete at the highest level with French Ligue 1 side Le Havre, demonstrating that he remains capable of performing on t...