TICKETS
Talk about taking a hypersonic hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. Shelda Mafuru began this year having never watched a game of futsal. She had, furthermore, never even heard of it. Now she’s set to represent Tanzania on its summit.
“Honestly, I didn’t know anything about futsal,” Shelda told FIFA candidly. “I first heard people talking about it while I was in camp with my [football] club, Simba Queens. Later I received a letter from the Tanzania Football Federation asking me to report to camp for preparations for the [2025 Women’s Futsal] Africa Cup of Nations.”
Tanzania, having never played a competitive futsal match, were the rank outsiders. Astonishingly, however, Curtis Reid’s Twiga Stars won a group also comprising Madagascar and Senegal, before stunning Cameroon for a ticket to the first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™.
“Our team was seen as the weakest of all, especially considering it was our first time playing the game,” explained Shelda. “But our coach made us believe that we could do it if we set our minds to it, so we went into the tournament with only one goal: to qualify for the World Cup.
“Honestly, it wasn’t easy, and we were overjoyed because the whole world believed Tanzania could never reach the finals. The joy was immense, and every player couldn’t hold back tears of happiness.”
Tanzania will open their Philippines 2025 against title contenders Portugal on Sunday, 23 November. Shelda has big respect for the Iberians and their go-to girl Janice Silva, but believes the East Africans can get a result in Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila.
“We respect their ability and the quality of players they have,” said the 28-year-old. “Janice is a very strong pivot with all the right futsal tactics. I’ve personally learned some things from her. I respect her ability a lot, but that doesn’t make me afraid to play against her team because we have prepared well to face anyone who stands before us.
“Although Portugal are a good team, we are also well prepared and ready to fight. We didn’t reach the World Cup through luck. Even against Portugal, we can win. We have one goal: to fight for the flag of Tanzania.”
Tanzania will then tackle New Zealand and Japan, the respective Oceanian and Asian champions, in Group C.
“The only experience I have in futsal is what I gained during the AFCON in Morocco, as well as through my own personal efforts to learn by watching various futsal videos and listening to our coach,” admitted Shelda. “Our group is tough because the other teams have players with experience in futsal, and they even have futsal leagues in their countries.
“However, despite all that, we still have the ability to perform well. Nothing is impossible when you set your goals. Our preparations are focused on returning home with victory.”
Shelda is now bursting with pride to walk out at the PhilSports Arena and hear Mungu Ibariki Afrika (God Bless Africa), Tanzania’s national anthem.
“I receive many messages from my family and friends,” said the pivot. “They’re all happy about this opportunity I’ve received, and they often encourage me to fight hard and perform well.
“There’s no moment that gives me such deep emotions as hearing my national anthem. It fills me with great courage, and I tell myself that I am here for over 70 million Tanzanians. I must fight for them; I must win for them. It’s an indescribable feeling.”
