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Mary Siyame only blew out 17 candles 32 days ago. She celebrated her birthday by being called up by Tanzania for the first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™. Today she put the cherry on top of the cake.
New Zealand, 21st on the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking, were the favourites against a Tanzania team down in 82nd. The Twiga Stars danced their way into PhilSports Arena, however, and danced at full-time. Siyame burgled the ball off Jamie Evans and arrowed it into the bottom corner to break the deadlock. She slotted home a Zawadi Athuman pass for her second, and sealed a 4-2 victory six seconds from time after winning possession and curling home from inside her own half.
“I can’t believe I’m even at the World Cup, yet alone scoring three goals,” Siyame told FIFA. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams. It was down to hard work and dedication, and the endless support of coach Curtis [Reid] and the team.
“I’m very happy that my goals helped Tanzania win, but we didn’t win because of one player. It was a team effort. We’ve registered a victory at the World Cup, and it feels incredible. This is for all Tanzanians.
“We want to keep working hard. We’re desperate to reach the semi-finals. We believe we can achieve this. First we must beat Japan to reach the quarter-finals, and we believe we will do it.”
Siyame became the youngest score at Philippines 2025, and the fourth player to net a hat-trick after Italy pair Renata Adamatti and Sara Boutimah and Thailand’s Peanpailun.
“Mary had an outstanding performance,” said Reid. “She gave her all for her country, followed instructions and executed everything according to plan. I’m very proud of her and her development in futsal.”
Tanzania pivot Nasma Manduta added: “Mary is already a very good player. She knows how to convert every chance she gets into a goal. She’s very disciplined and determined, and that’s why it was easy for her to score in today’s match.
“She has her own slogan. It says, ‘I will do anything for my team for I am a goal machine.’ Today she did everything for Tanzania.”
