Tanzania players rewarded with UGX 7.4 Billion for AFCON Qualification

Tanzania's Taifa Stars are set to receive a significant reward of 500 million Tanzanian Shillings (UGX 7.4 billion) from President Samia Suluhu Hassan following their qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

The exciting news was confirmed by Saidi Yakubu, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports, who accompanied the team to Algeria for their decisive AFCON qualifying match.

Yakubu shared this momentous announcement with the players immediately after their game and revealed that the funds are already in the ministry's custody, awaiting distribution to the deserving team.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa also joined in the chorus of praise for the Taifa Stars during a parliamentary session in Dodoma.

He commended the team for their historic qualification and urged Tanzanians to continue supporting their national football heroes.

Tanzania secured their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought goalless draw against Algeria in the final group F match of the qualifiers.

This remarkable achievement marks their third qualification for the prestigious tournament, with the first one dating back to 1980.

The pivotal game against Algeria witnessed the visiting Taifa Stars holding their ground, denying the formidable Algerian side victory and etching their names into the annals of Tanzanian football history.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, expressing her joy and appreciation on social media, remarked, "You have written the history…"

She added, "This is our third time to qualify since the establishment of this tournament. I wish you all the best."

With this result, Tanzania secured a second-place finish in the Group F qualifiers, accumulating a total of eight points.

Algeria, who had already secured their place in the tournament, finished atop the group with an impressive 16 points from six matches.

The draw against Algeria showcased the professionalism and determination of the Taifa Stars, who successfully halted Algeria's five-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, for Uganda, their 2-0 victory over Niger in Marrakech, Morocco, in their final match was not enough to secure their qualification, bringing a bittersweet end to their qualifying campaign.