Tanzanite Queens, now is your time to shine

DAR ES SALAAM: TOMORROW, we will not simply watch a football match. Tomorrow, a nation will watch its dreams run onto the pitch.

To our young women, the Tanzanite Queens: The eyes of Tanzania are upon you, but more importantly, the hearts of Tanzania are with you.

You have travelled a long road to reach these finals. You did not arrive here by invitation or by chance. You earned your place. You fought for it.

And now, you have been given an opportunity that belongs to very few, an opportunity to stand alongside the giants of world football. Brazil. England. Canada. Yes, these are giants. Their names carry weight.

Their footballing histories are immense. Their resources and experience may be greater than ours. But do not let their names frighten you.

They are here for the same reason you are here: Because they qualified. They have come to compete. So have you. You have the same assignment. Fight for your nation.

Fight for your continent. Fight for every girl who dreams of one day wearing the Tanzanian colours.

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Tomorrow comes Brazil. On Tuesday, England. Then, next Friday, the final group assignment. Three matches.

Three battles. Three opportunities to show the world what Tanzania’s young women can do. Tanzanite Queens, when you step onto that pitch, take Tanzania with you. Take the flag. Take the prayers of your mothers and fathers.

Take the dreams of the little girls watching you from classrooms, football pitches and homes across the country. And give your whole. Give your courage. Give your discipline. Give your talent. Give your sweat. Give your heart.

Do not play as though you are facing giants. Play as though you belong among them. Because you do. And let us dare to dream.

Let us believe that the quarter-finals are possible. Let us believe that history can be written. Let us believe that these young women can take Tanzania further than many ever imagined.