AFCON 2019: Tanzania national team gifted land by President John Pombe Magufuli after historic win

The first and last occasion Tanzania qualified for the Afcon dates back to 1980, where they suffered a first-round exit in Nigeria.

Since then, there’s been several near misses for the Taifa Stars which led to local media dubbing the national team as ‘cursed’.

However, with the support of Magufuli and 1994 CAF Footballer of the Year Emmanuel Amunike, a new chapter has been written.

After Magufuli handed the senior national team TZsh 50 million (R306 788) at Statehouse to help them in AFCON preparations, former Nigeria international Amunike has led the team to new heights – with a style of play that’s been easy on the eye.

 

Heard plenty of comments that the 24-team edition will dilute the overall quality of the #AFCON2019.

This is opening strike of 🇹🇿 , who last qualified in 1980…pic.twitter.com/Uysv435DIA

— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz07Kohler) March 24, 2019

 

On the final day of qualification, they romped to a 3-0 win over Group L winners Uganda in front of 60 000 supporters at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam.

And Magufuli has now rewarded the team further after instilling national pride with their qualification for the continental showpiece in Egypt later this year.

“I am very happy for the honour you’ve brought to our nation,” President Magufuli told the Taifa Stars players and members of the technical bench at State House in Dar es Salaam, as per Azam TV.

“For the good work you have done to bring honour to Tanzania by qualifying for AFCON finals in Egypt, each player will get a parcel of land in Dodoma (the administrative capital)” added the Tanzanian said president Magufuli.

“I believe our players can put up a better show in Cairo, and go one place better by winning the title.”