The Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, has hailed Tanzania’s Under-17 national football team, Serengeti Boys, for making history after reaching the final of the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations (AFCON U-17), describing the achievement as a major milestone in the growth of youth football in the country.
Makonda made the remarks on June 3, 2026, upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam from Morocco, where he travelled alongside the team.
He said the performance demonstrated clear progress in Tanzania’s football development, especially at youth level.
He noted that although Serengeti Boys narrowly lost the final to Senegal through penalty shootouts, the players showed courage, discipline, and remarkable technical ability, earning respect across the continent and raising Tanzania’s football profile in Africa.
“This achievement reflects the strong investment made by the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan in developing sports infrastructure and nurturing young talent,” said Makonda.
He extended appreciation to government leaders, Members of Parliament, and sports stakeholders for their continued support, which he said played a vital role throughout the team’s journey from the early stages of the tournament to the final.
Makonda also commended the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) under President Wallace Karia for strengthening youth development structures, noting that academies such as Kigamboni and Tanga have been instrumental in producing talented players who formed the backbone of the squad.
He further praised the technical bench for their tactical discipline and leadership, saying they successfully guided the young players to compete strongly against some of the continent’s most experienced football nations.
According to Makonda, the next priority is to expose the players to more international friendly matches and high-level competitive environments to ensure they gain enough experience ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.
He also directed TFF to ensure that clubs signing Serengeti Boys players provide them with adequate playing time, stressing that consistent match experience is essential for their continued development and long-term success.
Makonda called on Tanzanians to continue rallying behind the team, saying their achievement is a source of national pride and a strong foundation for even greater success in the future.
