Zanzibar national football team
Zanzibar Heroes · CECAFA · Elo 1489 (23rd in Africa)
About the Zanzibar national team
The Zanzibar national football team (Zanzibar Heroes) represents Zanzibar in men's international football and competes in CAF's East and Central African (CECAFA) region.
In total, Zanzibar have played 209 recorded internationals since 1947: 44 wins (21.1%), 41 draws and 124 defeats, with 191 goals scored and 436 conceded.
Zanzibar have not yet qualified for a FIFA World Cup finals tournament.
Our Elo rating puts Zanzibar on 1489 points: 23rd in Africa and 112th in the world. Their highest rating (1489) came in 2025.
Recent results
All results →WWDLWDWLWW
| Date | Opponent | Score | Competition | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Jan 2025 | W |  Burkina Faso |
2–1 | Mapinduzi Cup | H · Gombani |
| 10 Jan 2025 | W |  Kenya |
1–0 | Mapinduzi Cup | H · Gombani |
| 6 Jan 2025 | L | Burkina Faso |
0–1 | Mapinduzi Cup | H · Gombani |
| 3 Jan 2025 | W |  Tanzania |
1–0 | Mapinduzi Cup | H · Gombani |
| 17 Dec 2017 | D | Kenya |
2–2 | CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup | A · Machakos |
| 15 Dec 2017 | W |  Uganda |
2–1 | CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup | N · Kisumu |
| 11 Dec 2017 | L |  Libya |
0–1 | CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup | N · Machakos |
| 9 Dec 2017 | D | Kenya |
0–0 | CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup | A · Machakos |
| 7 Dec 2017 | W | Tanzania |
2–1 | CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup | N · Machakos |
| 5 Dec 2017 | W |  Rwanda |
3–1 | CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup | N · Machakos |
| 27 Nov 2015 | W | Kenya |
3–1 | CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup | N · Hawassa |
| 24 Nov 2015 | L | Uganda |
0–4 | CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup | N · Hawassa |
Key facts
- At home
- 8W 4D 21L (24% wins)
- Away
- 5W 7D 30L (12% wins)
- Neutral venues
- 31W 30D 73L (23% wins)
- Goals per match
- 0.91 scored, 2.09 conceded
- Clean sheets
- 40 (19%)
- Failed to score
- 97 matches (46%)
- Most common score
- 0–1 (27 times)
- vs North America
- 1W 1D 0L
- vs Asia
- 1W 1D 0L
- Best decade
- 2010s (38% wins)
- First recorded match
- Tanzania 3–1 Zanzibar (1947)
Where Zanzibari players were born
All birthplaces →Each dot is a birthplace; bigger dots mean more players. Players born outside Africa are on the born abroad page.
Record by competition
| Competition | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup | 118 | 27 | 29 | 62 | 98 | 179 | 1973–2017 | |
| ELF Cup | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 2006–2006 | |
| Mapinduzi Cup | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2025–2025 | |
| Viva World Cup | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 4 | 2012–2012 | |
| FIFI Wild Cup | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 2006–2006 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the nickname of the Zanzibar national team?
Zanzibar are nicknamed the Zanzibar Heroes.
How many times have Zanzibar won AFCON?
Zanzibar have won the Africa Cup of Nations 0 times.
Have Zanzibar played at the World Cup?
No, Zanzibar have not qualified for a World Cup finals tournament yet.
What is the biggest win in Zanzibar history?
Zanzibar 6–0 Raetia on 4 June 2012 (Viva World Cup).