By Victoria Godfrey
The leadership of the Tanzania Women’s Premier League (TWPL) has called on Tanzanians and stakeholders to actively invest in women's football, including the fast-growing discipline of futsal.
The call comes in the wake of a historic achievement by Tanzania’s national women’s futsal team, which finished second at the recent Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco earning them a spot at the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup to be held this November in the Philippines.
Speaking on May 3, 2025, during the team's official welcome ceremony, TWPL Chairperson Somoe Ng’itu emphasized the need for greater public and private sector support in the development of women's football.
“Many assumed we were just going to participate. But we left Tanzania with a clear goal to qualify for the World Cup and we made it. We urge Tanzanians not to hesitate; our women’s teams are strong, and they have the potential to raise the Tanzanian flag high on the global stage,” said Somoe.
She highlighted the team’s determination and resilience, especially given their limited preparation time compared to other nations.
“Our success was no accident. These girls were determined. They went to Morocco with the mindset to compete, not just to participate and they delivered,” she said. “This is just the beginning. Come November in the Philippines, we expect even greater things. When women compete, we come prepared.”
Team captain Violeth Nicholas expressed pride in their accomplishment, calling it the realization of a dream.
“We set a goal and we achieved it. Although it was our first time playing at that level, and adapting to the futsal format was a challenge, we had a coach who understood the game well. That made a huge difference,” said Violeth.
Looking ahead, she assured Tanzanians that the team is focused and expects solid preparations in the run-up to the World Cup.
Fellow player Najiati Idrisa expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the country and praised the futsal platform for uncovering new talent.
“I thank God for this chance. I managed to win several individual awards, and this was just our debut. If we invest more in this sport, the sky’s the limit,” she said.
Fatma Issa, another member of the squad, attributed the team’s success to high morale and shared ambition.
“We went with one mission to fight for our country and we did it. I encourage more people to get involved in futsal. Once you understand it, you’ll love it,