Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli has awarded each Taifa Stars player with a piece of land in appreciation for qualification to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Taifa Stars beat cross-border rivals Uganda 3-0 in Dar es Salaam in an encounter on Sunday to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in 39 years.
Saimon Happygod Msuva, Erasto Nyoni and Aggrey Morris scored for the hosts at the Taifa National Stadium.
After the historic win, the team met the President at the State House on Monday, who has awarded them with a piece of land each in Dodoma.
“I didn’t have a plan to call the team to State House because they lost to Lesotho, a small country. On the Matchday, I opted to watch the game from home as I was afraid, we would be embarrassed again. But all the pain is gone now after the win over Uganda,” Magufuli is quoted by ITV Tanzania.
“These players have impressed me, and I think they deserve a reward. I am going to award them on behalf of the whole nation. The playing unit will get a piece of land in Dodoma where they will build their houses.
“Qualifying for Afcon is just the beginning of the fight, all the Tanzanians are happy and I would like to congratulate them for the support and patriotism which they showed during the match.”
Tanzania finished second in Group with eight points from six matches. The side is managed by former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke.
Four countries from East Africa; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi have all qualified for the tournament which will be played in Egypt from 21 June to 19 July 2019.