The Taifa Stars are set for a decisive showdown against Morocco in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinal, with a massive financial boost fueling their quest for history. Tanzania will face the Atlas Lions at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, knowing victory would secure a first-ever semifinal appearance at the tournament.
Ahead of the clash, President Samia Suluhu Hassan injected fresh motivation into the squad by awarding them 200 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately Ksh 11.2 million). The gesture is both a reward for their efforts so far and a powerful signal of belief in their potential to go all the way.
The support did not stop there. Azam Media pledged an additional 50 million TZS, while NMB Bank contributed 10 million TZS, raising the total package to 260 million TZS (around Ksh 14.6 million). This windfall comes on top of performance-based rewards the team has already accumulated during the tournament, with incentives of 20 million TZS for every goal scored and every victory achieved.
Since the tournament’s kickoff on August 2, the Taifa Stars have already collected 460 million TZS (Ksh 25.8 million) in financial incentives, creating a record-breaking trail of rewards. The stakes grow even higher with structured bonuses in place: 200 million TZS for reaching the semifinals, 500 million TZS for making the final, and a staggering 1 billion TZS (Ksh 56 million) if they lift the CHAN trophy.
Beyond the money, the backing represents a wave of national pride and unity. Football has become a rallying point, inspiring citizens across Tanzania to believe in their national team’s potential. The government’s call for nationwide support has been echoed widely, with fans and stakeholders urged to rally behind the Taifa Stars as they attempt to dethrone one of Africa’s strongest footballing nations.
With Morocco standing in their path, the task ahead is immense, but the combination of financial support, government encouragement, and national passion could serve as the decisive push. This quarterfinal is more than a football match it is a chance for Tanzania to rewrite its sporting history, and the entire nation is ready to dream with the Taifa Stars.
