Tanzania’s U17 national girls’ team, popularly known as Serengeti Girls, has continued to make the country proud after securing two straight wins in the ongoing UEFA U18 (WU18 Friendship Cup) tournament taking place in Turkey.
Despite being the youngest team in the competition, which features U18 teams, Serengeti Girls have shown remarkable resilience and skill.
They opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Lebanon, followed by another 1-0 victory against Jamaica in a match played two days ago.
With two wins in the bag, Tanzania now looks ahead to their crucial third match against Finland, scheduled for April 6.
The upcoming clash is expected to be highly competitive, as both teams remain unbeaten in the tournament. A win for either side would greatly increase their chances of progressing to the final.
Head Coach Bakari Shime expressed confidence in his squad, saying the girls are motivated and ready to fight for another victory.
“The upcoming match will be a good one. My players are full of energy and determination to prove their capabilities on this international stage,” he said.
Coach Shime noted that while the main objective was to gain experience and exposure, the team has exceeded expectations by competing strongly against older opponents.
“We brought an U17 team to an U18 tournament because we were invited. Our goal was to build confidence and gain international experience — and we have already succeeded in doing that,” he added.
Depending on the outcome of their match against Finland, Tanzania could either play in the final or compete for third place. Shime is optimistic that a win would see his team contesting for the top two positions.
The Serengeti Girls’ performance has drawn praise from football enthusiasts back home, who see the tournament as an important step in the development of women’s football in Tanzania.
The players have demonstrated not only talent but also mental strength, adapting quickly to the pressure of international competition.
As they prepare for their final group game, the nation will be watching closely, cheering on these young heroines who are flying the Tanzanian flag high on foreign soil.