AFCON UNDER 17: Makonda: Boys made us proud

DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, has commended the Serengeti Boys for their stellar performance at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), declaring that the team has made the nation proud despite a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat in the final to Senegal.

Makonda made the remarks at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam yesterday during an official reception held to welcome the squad back from their historic campaign in Morocco, where they secured a second-place finish. Makonda said reaching the final was a major achievement for the young side, which overcame some of Africa’s strongest teams on their way to the title decider.

“It was our dream to win the trophy, but we lost on penalties. Luck was not on our side,” he said.

“We created chances but failed to convert them. That is football. Anyone can miss a penalty. What is important is that these youngsters fought for their national flag and earned a medal for Tanzania.” The minister said the nation should celebrate the team’s achievement rather than focus on the defeat.

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“The boys did a good job. They faced giants such as Algeria, Egypt and Senegal, and we all saw what they did. They gave their best and shocked some of the biggest teams in the competition,” he said.

“The fact that they reached the final was not easy. They have made the country proud and deserve recognition for what they have achieved.” Makonda also commended the team’s technical bench led by Head Coach, Elieneza Nsanganzelu highlighting the role of a local coach in guiding the side to the final.

“I am proud that the coach behind this success is a Tanzanian. He has shown the quality of our local coaches and proved that we can achieve great things with our own expertise,” he said.

Looking ahead, the minister described the tournament as the beginning of a longer journey for the young players, expressing confidence that they could form the foundation of Tanzania’s future national team.

“This is only the beginning. Our next mission is the World Cup. These are the players who can take Tanzania to greater heights, including our ambitions for 2030,” he said. Makonda said the government, working with the Tanzania Football Federation, would continue investing in youth football development programmes to ensure talented players receive the support needed to progress into professional football.

“We will continue investing in football development, from technical training to modern football education. We want to create the right environment for these players to grow and fulfil their potential,” he said.

He credited the government’s continued investment in sports infrastructure and development programmes, saying support from the country’s leadership had helped create opportunities for young athletes.