COASTAL UNION COULD BE THE FOURTH POWER IN TANZANIA

Tanzanian Premier League is a dominion of two football clubs. Simba and Yanga dictate terms in the domestic scene. It is a duopoly in terms of revenues; trophies amassed and match attendances .For the past twelve years, the premier league title has been the exclusive right of the two Dar clubs. Mtibwa  Sugar were the last club to win the title outside the two rival clubs.

This duopoly has choked life out of the Tanzanian league.Other clubs have become mere feeders of talent to the two. It has stopped other clubs from even dreaming of winning the title. Until the emergence of Azam,  any other club stating ambitions of winning the title was treated as a mere poor man’s dream. Five seasons, millions and millions spent, coaches from all over the world,players from different corners of the globe yet even Azam despite the huge financial muscles are yet to wrestle away the title from Simba and Yanga.

Azam have already established themselves  as a credible third force. They have the financial resources to compete with the two Dar clubs. A fourth power is needed to add some vibrancy and shake up the established equilibrium state of our league. Though Mtibwa Sugar and Kagera Sugar have tried but they are simply no match for Simba and Yanga. Both are just deemed as established side but lacking ambitions to mount a serious campaign for the title.

Perhaps Coastal Union could build themselves into a much needed fourth power .The Tanga based side might not have the deep pockets like Azam but they do have what Azam lack, a strong fan base in their own region. The 1988 champions are slowly re-emerging as a force to reckon in the domestic football scene. They are steadily re-awakening the passions of Tanga football fans who had turned their eyes from the local game. Being the only club from Tanga they have cut their own niche, forming a bond with the locals that ensured a steady growing match attending fan base.

Unlike Simba and Yanga who have several sponsors and promoters or Azam who are being bankrolled by Bakhressa group of companies,Coastal  Union have to live within their means by utilizing their meager resources efficiently. In that sense they are arguably the best managed side, efficiently maximizing their resources while building a side that is slowly developing into something many Tanga people can be proud to associate with.

This season they have managed to book flights for their away matches, a feat only achieved by Simba,Yanga and Azam. They lured Kenyan international midfielder,Jerry Santo from Kenya league champions,Tusker Fc, a feat that speaks of their growing financial power. They even signed a certain Brazilian striker for ‘good money’. They take great care of their players a fact highlighted by sending Nsa Job, their striker, to India for better medical treatment after an injury he sustained in a league match.

Coastal Union have also been in the frontline in engaging fans through the social media. They regularly update their posts,respond to comments and criticism, have live text commentary of their games just to catch up with the digital fans.  To some it might mean nothing but it is by getting the small things right one is able to develop and grow into something big.With just a little bit of more persistent creativity they could become the fourth power in the domestic football scene.