Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan applauds U-23 team

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan has congratulated the national U-23 football team for their success at the just ended regional tournament.

Tanzania lifted the CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup after defeating Burundi 6-5 on penalty shootouts after a goalless draw at the Bahir Dar Stadium in Ethiopia last Friday.

“Congratulations to the National Under-23 team for winning the East and Central African Championships. This victory is an honor for our country and is the catalyst for sports promotion. I call on sports stakeholders to continue our efforts to promote our sport,” said the President.

The team handled by coach Kim Poulsen returned to Tanzania today morning. Tanzania kick started the tournament with a 1-0 win against guest side Democratic Republic of Congo, before settling for a 1-1 draw against Uganda. At the semi-final stage they edged a hard fighting South Sudan side 1-0 before winning on penalty shootouts in the final.

Last year Tanzania also reached the final of the CECAFA U-20 Championship where they lost to Uganda. They went on to represent the region together with Uganda at the 2021 AFCON U-20 Championship in Mauritania.