PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has awarded Twiga Stars 10m/- for their stellar performance in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
Recently, the country’s brave ladies bundled out Ivory Coast in the competition after claiming a 4-2 win in post-match penalties to qualify for the second and last round of the qualifiers.
The Twiga Stars will now face Togo in a two-legged tie, whose overall winner will earn a slot to play at the WAFCON finals slated in Morocco next year.
Thrilled with the team’s performance, President Samia pledged to reward them with 10m/- and she fulfilled her pledge on Monday, after the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Culture, Arts and Sports Gerson Msigwa presented the money to the team at the Uhuru Stadium in the city.
In his brief remarks, Msigwa hailed Twiga Stars players, saying they were doing a commendable job to represent the country well, assuring the squad of the government’s continued cooperation.
“When you are on the pitch during international matches, you carry the hopes of Tanzanians and in all the games you have played, we have seen your commitment.
“Our President is congratulating you a lot and she is always excited to see you playing and get good results,” Msigwa told Twiga Stars players and officials.
On his part, the team’s coach Bakari Shime expressed gratitude to the President for the 10m/- cash award, saying it will lift their morale and make them work even harder in the next matches.
“We are pleased whenever we receive an acknowledgment from the President…money plays a big part in improving the morale of players and what the President is doing in following the progress of our team gives us the energy to work hard,” Shime said.
Twiga Stars skipper Joyce Lema also appreciated the presidential gift, saying on behalf of her teammates, they will put in a spirited performance in all their upcoming matches to continue flying high the national colours.