‘Kwani tumekosa wachezaji?’ – Magufuli in furious tirade after Tanzania’s AFCON loss

Tanzania President John Magufuli on Monday, June 24 was an angry man after Tanzania’s loss to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Lions of Teranga began their AFCON campaign by beating the East Africans 2-0, courtesy of goals from Keita Balde and Krepin Diatta.

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In a match that was clearly dominated by Aliou Cisse’s men, Tanzania, throughout the full 90 minutes, only managed three shots a goal, with none of them landing on the target. Senegal boasted more than 65 per cent ball possession and averaged twice the number of passes completed by Tanzania.

Most fouls were committed by Emmanuel Amuneke’s men, leaving the West African’s at liberty of initiating attacks towards the Tanzanian goalkeeper.

After the loss, Magufuli had something to say…

Who will tell Magufuli that Sénégal has almost 20 Million people. A simple google search wound have helped. But I get his pain..... pic.twitter.com/opIXFXF8zx — Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) (@Asmali77) June 24, 2019

In a video extensively shared on social media and captured by Game Yetu, Magufuli laments how Tanzania is incapable of producing ‘class’ players to compete with other big football nations, with a  population of more than ‘55 million people’.

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“Nchi kama Tanzania yenye idadi ya watu milioni 55, inakwenda kufungwa na timu yenye idadi ya watu milioni mbili? Kwasababu ni lazima mujiulize, Katika milioni 55 tumekosa wachezaji 11, wakuweza kuliwakilisha hili taifa katika mchezo huu muhimu unaopendwa duniani,”

In translation, Magufuli seems to be asking why a team like Tanzania, which hails from a nation of 55 million people can be beaten in a football match by a team whose home population is ‘two million’. He also questions the availability of good players in the squad.

Though he might not have got the populations quite right, Magufuli’s pain at seeing his team lose to Senegal is understood, considering the amount of work they put in to qualify for the tournament.

The loss left Tanzania at the bottom of group C, tied on zero points with Harambee Stars who saw their return to the continental showpiece after 15 years begin with a humiliating 2-0 defeat at the hands of Algeria.

Kenya will now face Tanzania in a crunch match on Thursday, June 27 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.