One Tanzanite Academy shine in Denmark, win Dana Cup title

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's One Tanzanite Football Academy has written a new chapter in African football history by becoming the first East African team to win the Boys’ U-16 category at the prestigious Dana Cup — one of the world’s largest and most competitive international youth football tournaments.

Held annually in Hjørring, Denmark, since 1982, the Dana Cup attracts top youth teams from across the globe, with more than 1,100 teams from over 40 countries competing this year alone.

For One Tanzanite, not only was it a dream to take part in such a highly regarded tournament, it was a mission. And they accomplished it in extraordinary style.

Competing against elite youth sides from football-strong nations like Germany, Brazil, England, and the United States, the Tanzanian boys showcased a level of skill, discipline, and determination that stunned opponents and thrilled fans.

Their journey to the final was marked by tactical brilliance, teamwork, and sheer resilience. With every match, they earned the respect of the global football community.

“This is a historic moment not only for our academy but for Tanzania,” said Agapiti Manday who is Managing Partner of One Tanzanite Football Academy.

“Our players have shown that with commitment, preparation, and belief, anything is possible.

We came here to represent East Africa, and now we leave as champions of the world’s biggest youth football stage,” he said. The significance of this victory goes far beyond the silverware.

It is a moment of immense national pride for Tanzania and a beacon of inspiration for the entire East African region.

No team from East Africa had ever lifted a Dana Cup trophy in the Boys’ U-16 category since the tournament’s inception — until now. Manday extended heartfelt appreciation to key supporters who made the journey possible: “We are deeply grateful to Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her visionary leadership and continued support of sports development in Tanzania.

Special thanks also go to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa for the big support.

Also they thanked Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), the National Sports Council (NSC), and their esteemed sponsors — Asas Group, CRDB Foundation, and GSM Group.

This triumph is not just about winning a football tournament — it is about what sport can do for youth and communities. Most of the players at One Tanzanite come from humble and disadvantaged backgrounds.

 For them, this tournament was more than just a competition; it was an opportunity to prove themselves on a global platform, to defy the odds, and to bring pride back home.

The academy’s win highlights the urgent need to invest in youth sports development in Tanzania.

It is living proof that when given the right tools, training, and support, Tanzanian youth can compete — and win — at the highest levels of international football.

“This trophy represents more than a win on the field. It symbolizes hope, potential, and the bright future of Tanzanian football,” added Manday.

 “We believe this is just the beginning. Our dream is to see these boys go on to represent Tanzania in major tournaments — and one day, play in the World Cup.”

As the players lifted the Dana Cup trophy under the Danish skies, the moment resonated deeply with everyone who witnessed it — a moment of African excellence on European soil.

Back in Tanzania, celebrations erupted in homes, communities, and football academies, all inspired by what is now being hailed as a golden generation in the making.

For One Tanzanite Football Academy, the Dana Cup 2025 victory is not the end — it’s the beginning of something truly extraordinary.