Why Kenyan players are moving to the Tanzanian league

Former Gor Mahia goalkeeper David Mapigano, who recently joined Azam, has said more Kenyan players are moving to the Tanzanian league because of sound management.

Mapigano who signed a two-year contract with the Tanzanian giants said foreign players are equally impressed with the good infrastructure at facilities used by big clubs such as like Simba SC, Azam and Yanga.

Simba on Saturday showed their financial muscle in a colourful ceremony in which their new players were unveiled ahead of the September 6 Vodacom Premier League kick off.

Azam followed suit the following day with a stylish show dubbed “Azam FC Festival 2020” held at Chamazi Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania’s Minister of Sports Harrison Mwakyembe, club owner tycoon Said Salim Bakhresa, bongo star Ali Kiba and other dignitaries were present.

Just like at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium where Simba held their event, the 10,000-seater Chamazi Stadium was full of pomp and colour. Kiba and his fellow bongo flava hit maker Msaga Sumu entertained fans dressed in Azam’s in blue and white jerseys.

The culmination of the event was a friendly match between the Azam and Vodacom Premier League side Namungo FC which ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts.

Mapigano, who left Gor on mutual consent after the league champions failed to get his six months pay, said the Tanzanian league has overtaken the Kenyan Premier League in terms of fanatical following.

“Most of this big clubs in Tanzania do business like clubs in Europe, Kenyans players who have moved to the neighbouring country can attest to that. There is also proper infrastructure, which is lacking in Kenya. Big clubs in Tanzania are owned by individuals who are ready to invest their money for the love of the game,” the Tanzanian international said.

“Tanzanians love football and don’t miss matches. In Kenya, only Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have a large following but their numbers can’t be compared the supporters of Simba and Yanga.”

Kakamega Homboyz’s striker Allan Wanga, who played for Azam for one season in 2015, agrees with Mapigano that Tanzania fans love football more than Kenyan fans. He said Azam has good infrastructure and players live comfortably without the troubles of delayed salaries.

“In terms of players’ welfare, infrastructure and fan base they are above us. Fans fill the stadiums even in matches involving the small clubs and during Cecafa matches. There is huge investment in football and love for the game is huge,” the former AFC Leopards striker said.

Other Kenyan footballers who have played with the 2015 Cecefa champions are Humphrey Mieno, currently with Al-itihad in Oman, and injured Posta Rangers defender Joackins Atudo. The duo played for the Tanzanian giants from 2012-2014.

Former Bandari assistant coach Ibrahim Shikanda was Azam’s key defender in 2010. He rose through the ranks to become the “moneybags” assistant coach before parting ways with them in 2014.

Mapigano, who signed for K’Ogalo in July 2018 from Singida United, told Nation Sport that the club’s foreign players are hosted in a three bedroom apartment at Kijichi in the leafy suburbs, a few kilometres from Dar as Salaam.

A monthly house rent in the classy apartment goes for at least Sh47,000 per month and each Azam foreign player is provided with a car and domestic worker paid by the club.

Mapigano, 23, said Azam pays all their players the same amount of match winning bonus irrespective of whether one made the match day squad or not. The bonuses range from Sh20,000 to Sh50,000 per player depending on the significance of the match.

Just like Simba SC and Yanga, Azam have highly developed sports infrastructure at Chamazi Stadium.

The club has a gym, a swimming pool, well paid cleaners and cooks who help manage players’ diet.

“In Kenya, Gor and Leopards are required to pay stadium and training ground fees, but here in Tanzania even some of the small clubs have their training ground and pitches. 

Gor and AFC need to invest  in infrastructure. They also need proper management so that they can be at par with Simba, Azam and Yanga,”  Mapigano said.

The custodian said that since joining Azam, the management has helped him a lot financially and he looks forward to good performances in the league matches next season.

Azam have been busy in the transfer market and have also signed other new players Emmanuel Charles, Awesu Awesu, Ally Niyonzima, Ismail Aziz and Ayoub Lyanga.

Coached by Romanian Aristica Cioba, Azam had a disappointing 2019/20 season where they failed to retain the FA Cup title which Simba SC eventually won.

They finished third in the VPL table standings on 70 points, 18 below eventual winners Simba SC .