Mbwana Ally Samatta, captain of Tanzania's national football team and a celebrated athlete, has officially retired from international football after 15 years of service to the Taifa Stars.

The 33-year-old striker's decision marks the end of an era for Tanzanian football as he steps away from the pitch to make way for younger players.

Samatta, who currently plays for French Ligue 1 side Le Havre AC, cited deep reflection and a desire to pass the torch to the next generation as reasons for his retirement.He expressed gratitude to fans, teammates, and the Tanzania Football Federation, vowing to continue supporting Tanzanian football through mentorship.His career highlights include leading Tanzania to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals and qualifying for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.With over 90 international caps and 22 goals, Samatta remains one of Tanzania's top scorers.

His club journey spanned top teams like Simba SC, TP Mazembe, KRC Genk, Aston Villa, Fenerbahçe, and Le Havre AC, where he won multiple continental titles.Despite retiring from international play, his legacy as a transformative figure in Tanzanian football endures.