President Magufuli Rewards Mwakinyo With Land For Gonzalez Victory

DAR-ES-SALAAM, Tanzania- Tanzania rising boxing sensation, Hassan 'Champez' Mwakinyo and members of the country's national football team, Taifa Stars were on Monday rewarded by being promised pieces of land by President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli for their stirring victories over the weekend that brought pride to a nation.

Mwakinyo sent seasoned Argentine Sergio Eduardo 'El Tigre' Gonzalez to retirement with a fifth round technical knockout during their men Super Welterweight contest that was the main under card of Nairobi Fight Night 2 on Saturday night.

Stars on the other hand, thumped neighbours Uganda Cranes 3-0 in their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the National Main Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam to punch their ticket to the Egypt 2019 finals.

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President Magufuli invited the victorious boxer and national team players for lunch where he promised to give them land to construct their homes.

"Brother Hassan, you have done a good job. I know you went through many challenges but your patriotism and bravely has brought you here.

"Do not give up and I can assure you that as Government, we will support boxing and other disciplines," the Head of State stated in his address to the boxer who is an ambassador of entertainment and technology firm, SportPesa Tanzania.

Ring debut

The 24 year-old Tanga-born fighter was making his ring debut in Kenya after arriving from the United Kingdom after a three-week training camp in Liverpool. 

Mwakinyo trained alongside Kenya's Fatuma 'Iron Fist' Zarika who retained her women World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight crown in the main event of Nairobi Fight Night 2 via an unanimous 3-0 victory over Zambian challenger, Catherine Phiri.

Seasoned Argentine, Gonzalez, 40, announced his retirement from the sport moments after he was floored by Mwakinyo, urging the Tanzanian boxing hot shot to go on and win a world title on his behalf.

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Speaking to the Taifa Star players, President Magufuli noted qualifying for their first AFCON final in 39 years was a source of great pride for the biggest country in the East Africa region that will have four nations in the June 21 to July 19 continental showpiece for the first time ever.

"I have called you here today (Monday) to congratulate your for bringing honour to your country. On behalf of the citizens of Tanzania, I will reward you with pieces of land," the Head of State declared.

Magufuli further pledged to avail TSh1b to the national youth team, Serengeti Boys, to assist their preparations for the AFCON UNder 17 finals that will be held in Dar from April 14 to 28.

- Mutwiri Mutuota contributed to this report

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