The Tanzania U17 Women’s National Team made history by becoming the first Tanzanian team to feature in any FIFA competition.
The Serengethi Girls continued to break new ground after they progressed to the knockout stages of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup currently underway in India.
After a disappointing 4-0 loss to Japan in the opening match of the tournament, they bounced back to stun former champions France 2-1 to set up the most important game of the lives.
Against Group D’s bottom side Canada, the Africans needed a draw to stay alive in the competition and almost lost all hope when their opponents took the lead in the 14th minute.
But the debutants made history when they levelled matters through Veronica Mapunda and held on for a famous results.
Coach Bakari Shime’s side will now face South Americans Colombia in the battle for the semi-finals.
The Serengethi Girls join Nigeria in the last eight after the West Africans beat Chile 2-1 on Monday (17 October) to qualify as Group B runners up.
QUARTERFINALS:
Friday, 21 October
USA v Nigeria
Germany v Brazil
Saturday, 22 October
Colombia v Tanzania
Japan v Spain
By Matlhomola Morake
