JPM- Thank you for making the nation Proud

Dar es Salaam. It is a moment of pride and let no one lie to you, the qualification of Taifa stars for the forth coming Afcon 2019 in Egypt was an uplifting moment that has got the entire nation in jubilation.

This time around, not even the President was left out as he watched the game at State House in Dar es Salaam.

 It had been 39 years since Peter Tino and Leodgar Tenga’s generation left a mark on the continental show piece, at full time this generation had achieved something only they had done in Lagos, Nigeria.

Today, in honour of players and the technical bench who made the Afcon dream possible, President John Pombe Magufuli awarded each of them a plot in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.

Apart from Taifa stars Players and pugilist Hassan Mwakinyo, President Magufuli also awarded  a piece of land to former Taifa Stars striker, Peter Tino and Sh5 million in recognition of players who have selflessly represented the country in the past.

Speaking during the special occasion held at State House in Dar es Salaam, President expressed the joy of seeing Taifa Stars qualify even when it initially only seemed to be ‘a bridge too far’ after their earlier stumbles against Cape Verde and Lesotho.

“I am very happy for you Taifa Stars and the entire nation. Earlier, I did not expect you to reach this stage following the poor show after you lost to Lesotho. Since then, I have not received any call or replied text message from Minister responsible for sports, Mwakyembe (Harrison), I was very disappointed.

Apart from that, I had planned not to invite teams to State House a team due to poor performances, but today, I am very happy for what we have achieved as a nation,” said President Magufuli.

He said Tanzanians want to see such performances in various competitions.

“We have a population of not less than 55 million, why do we lose against a country with only two million people, we were not serious,” he said.

President Magufuli also commended Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) leaders, players, and  all Tanzanians who supported the team to do the best.

“I believe, our players can put up a better in Cairo and even go one better by winni the title,”  said the President.