Tanzania’s national women’s under-17 football team, Serengeti Girls, has set its sights firmly on winning the CECAFA U-17 Championship and retaining the trophy on home soil when the regional tournament kicks off in Dar es Salaam on June 13.
Head coach Bakari Shime said the team is fully prepared and motivated to compete for the title in a tournament that will bring together the region’s top under-17 women’s national teams from East and Central Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and hosts Tanzania.
The squad is currently holding intensive training sessions at the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Technical Centre in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, as final preparations continue ahead of the competition, which will run until June 23.
Speaking on the team’s readiness, Shime expressed optimism, saying the players are in good physical condition and have shown significant improvement throughout the training camp.
“The players are responding well to technical instructions from the coaching staff. They are gradually adapting to our tactical systems, and this gives us confidence heading into the tournament,” said Shime.
He acknowledged, however, that the competition will be tough, noting that regional rivals are also well prepared and determined to challenge for the title.
“We know it will not be easy. We have been performing well in recent tournaments, so our opponents are coming with strong ambition to compete and win,” he added.
Shime further noted that Serengeti Girls has built a strong winning mentality in youth women’s competitions hosted in Tanzania, which forms part of a broader development strategy aimed at sustaining success across different age categories.
He said the combination of early preparations, talented players, and strong technical support from the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) places the team in a good position to challenge for the championship.
With the tournament fast approaching, Serengeti Girls remain focused on their ultimate goal — delivering strong performances and lifting the CECAFA U-17 trophy in front of home fans.
