DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 9 -- JULIUS Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) pulsed with colour, rhythm and emotion yesterday, as hundreds of Tanzanian football supporters thronged the airport to welcome home the Taifa Stars players after their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Morocco.

Long before the aircraft appeared on the horizon, the sound arrived first.

A low, rumbling beat rolled down the access road, growing louder with every step towards the terminal. Drums thudded, music blared and animated voices overlapped, many replaying the same moment again and again — the denied penalty against hosts Morocco that in the eyes of supporters altered the course of Tanzanias tournament.

By mid-morning, JNIA had been drenched in blue, ...