The national men’s football team Taifa Stars received 10m/- from President Samia Suluhu Hassan following their 1-0 win over Niger in Saturday’s Group E match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifiers.

The money was handed over by Gerson Msigwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Sports, on behalf of President Samia and was received by Taifa Stars skipper, Mbwana Samatta. Apart from issuing the sum to the national team, Msigwa also informed the public that the Head of State has paid for round stadium seats for tomorrow’s game against Morocco in Dar es Salaam.

Stars host Morocco in their second match of the qualifiers looking to register a successive win to accumulate six points in two matches, hence, a need to have a full stadium. Likewise, President Samia fulfilled the pledge she made of buying each goal that Taifa Stars scores for 10m/- which is applicable only to the games that the envoys will be winning.

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Presenting the amount to the team’s captain, Mbwana Samatta at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam on Sunday was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports Garson Msigwa.

“I am here on behalf of President Samia to award you 10m/- for winning your game against Niger and this is the fulfillment of her pledge to buy each goal that you score and win,” he said, adding: “The president wishes you the best of luck in your next game versus Morocco. Play hard in order to win the match and increase your chances of qualifying for the World Cup finals.

“This is just a motivation for you. The Head of State said she is going to be the 12th player in your next game though she will not attend in person.”