TANZANIA, July 25 -- TANZANIAS early exit from the 2025 Womens Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals was a bitter pill to swallow, but it need not be a moment of despair. Instead, it should serve as a turning point.

Equally, it is a moment not to look down in disappointment but to look up with resolve.

Drawn into a formidable group alongside defending champions South Africa, tournament semi-finalists Ghana and quarter-finalists Mali, Tanzania faced some of the continents most experienced teams.

These were not mere opponents; they were heavyweights of African womens football. While we did not advance, this was never a group designed for excuses, it was only for lessons. And lessons, we must take.

The results were tough. A narrow 1-0 lo...