DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AP) The president of Tanzania has rewarded national soccer team players and officials with $5,000 each and a plot of land in the capital city for qualifying for the African Cup of Nations.
[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]
Tanzania reached the tournament for the first time in 39 years by beating East African rival Uganda 3-0 on the final day of qualifying on Sunday.
President John Magufuli thanked the team at a reception at his offices and told players and officials “you deserve to be rewarded.” Magufuli ordered that 25 players and seven coaching staff be given the money and a piece of land in Dodoma.
Tanzania lost to Cape Verde and Lesotho but was saved in the last round of qualifying when it beat Uganda and Lesotho was held to a 0-0 draw in Cape Verde.
This year’s African Cup is in Egypt in June and July.