FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP. U-20 out to make their mark in Poland

**DAR ES SALAAM: **TANZANIA Women’s U-20 national team Head Coach Bakari Shime has said the Tanzanite Queens are ready to make their mark at the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Poland as they prepare for a daunting opening clash against Brazil.

The Tanzanite Queens begin their historic campaign on Saturday, with Shime’s immediate concern being to get his players safely to Poland and ready for their first taste of World Cup football.

“The journey will take us more than 15 hours, and I expect that we will arrive safely and immediately start preparing for our first match, which will be played on Saturday,” said Shime.

Tanzania face a formidable task in Group B, where they have been drawn alongside Brazil, England and Canada, but captain Diana Mnally insists the team is not travelling to Poland simply to make up the numbers.

The skipper says months of preparation have left the players ready to compete against some of the biggest names in women’s football.

“We understand how big and important this tournament is. Our coaches have prepared us well both psychologically and physically to go and compete for victory,” said Mnally.

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“We know we will face big teams and different nations, and we are ready to compete against them.” For Mnally, however, the tournament means more than football. She says the young squad is carrying the hopes and pride of a nation as it makes its first appearance on the global stage.

“This is a matter of national pride; it is not just about us as players. I believe the whole country is watching us, including some people who are not in Tanzania,” she said.

The Tanzanite Queens will draw confidence from the way they secured their place in Poland, producing a dramatic comeback against Cameroon in the final round of the African qualifiers. After suffering a 3-1 defeat in the first leg, Tanzania responded with a 2-0 victory in the return leg at New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar to level the tie at 3-3 on aggregate and secure qualification.

That resilience will now be put to the test against Brazil, before Tanzania face England on Monday and complete their group campaign against Canada on September 11.

The 2026 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup runs from September 5 to 27, with 24 teams competing for the title. The top two teams in each group, together with the four best third-placed sides, will advance to the Round of 16.

Tanzania’s World Cup adventure starts at BielskoBiała Stadium on Saturday at 3 pm, with Shime and his young charges hoping their historic debut will be the beginning of something special rather than simply a moment to remember.

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