Magufuli reads the riot act to Taifa Stars, sports leaders
What you need to know:
- President John Magufuli has warned sports leaders against indulgence in corruption, saying they will promptly be deal with
Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli has contributed Sh50 million to support Taifa Stars ahead of an Africa Cup of Nation (Afcon) encounter against Lesotho on November 18.
He told Taifa Stars players at the State House today, October 19, 2018, that he wanted them to qualify for Afcon finals.
It last did so in 1980.
He said it was a shame for the nation of 55 million people to fail to qualify into African competitions.
“We need victory in the next two matches and qualify for the finals. Thirty-eight years of not qualifying is a long period. We have to beat Lesotho in the encounter away from home and later beat Uganda on our soil,” he said.
“I have been disappointed with our team’s losses. I think that is the case for all Tanzanian soccer fans. That should change; we should become a nation of winners.”
“I don’t want the team to lose or draw. You, Taifa Stars head coach Emmanuel Amunike, should do your calculations very well for our team to win. I trust you and I know you can deliver,” he said.
Taifa Stars are now placed second with five points in Group L while Uganda lead with 10 points.
Two top teams in the group will qualify for Afcon finals in Cameroon from June 15 to July 13, next year.
President Magufuli is also unhappy with corrupt sports leaders and warned them to stop doing so as they would be prosecuted.
He said such leaders had been misappropriating funds and stagnating sports development.
“Players are demoralised as they suffer when the leadership is poor and funds are misappropriated. Normally, such leaders promised to do good things when elected, but they do the opposite when they win. They shouldn’t seek positions during my presidency.”
