Following the high-profile moves of Neo Maema and Rushine de Reuck from
Mamelodi Sundowns to Tanzanian giants Simba SC, football administrator Senzo
Mbatha has weighed in on the growing trend of South African players heading
to East Africa.
The moves were influenced by both the presence of then-coach Fadlu Davids
and Simba’s participation in the CAF Champions League. Mbatha, who has
professional experience in the country, believes that top Tanzanian clubs
like Simba, Young Africans (Yanga), and Azam are now genuine competitors in
the transfer market.
“In Tanzania, there are four or five clubs at the level of paying players
well,” Mbatha stated during a talk with the South African Football
Journalists’ Association. He explained that these clubs can financially
compete with South African teams, noting, “if a South African club were to
compete with a Tanzanian club for a player, I think a South African club
would win the bid. But that does not mean they are unable to match the
salaries. They are there to match salaries and signing-on-fees.”
Mbatha highlighted the appeal of life in Dar es Salaam, describing it as a
“modern city” with good living conditions. However, he also pointed to
potential challenges, including a language barrier and the intense pressure
from passionate supporters.
“The only thing they would struggle with is the language barrier, but with
time, they will get that sorted,” he said. “Tanzania can be good to you, but
when the tables turn, you can feel the wrath of supporters.”
While he doesn’t foresee a mass exodus, Mbatha’s comments confirm Tanzania
as an increasingly attractive and financially viable destination for South
African players seeking new opportunities.
