The way forward on Nurturing a more Competitive League

 

Success, Money, Fame, glory, supporters, passion – is that the way that we are supposed to arrange it? Is that RIGHT?

Passion, supporters, glory, success, fame, money – Can you see the difference? No. it’s not easy, but we know it, it’s in all our hearts.

I have never been really keen in Tanzanian football. It’s not like I have been ignoring it, but I have grown up to know football from the television. Every weekend I would buckle myself up, switch on the telly and all I would see is Manchester united, Barcelona, Chelsea fc and several other teams that I was unaware of. There is no difference from then to now. It is quite the same. Switch on the television and all you would see is foreign football. Kenyan, Ghanaian, South African but not Tanzanian.

Several times that I am being asked if I was a Young Africans FC or a Simba SC supporter. I have never really had an answer, might as well say that I have never really thought of an answer. Until recently, I had to ask myself a similar question, not quite, but close. Which team do I support in my own country? Why do I like Ajax FC and Liverpool FC but none of my local teams? Then comes an easier answer. Most people who do support the two successful teams have been grown in the same roots. Its either the father was a huge fan, would take him to the stadium every time the rivals had a derby or he has a relative close to the two teams, maybe a former player or a board member. On the other hand people like I who can’t go to matches keep on hearing or just reading about the team. And so I thought, our main problem here is publicity. Solve that problem then the others will solve themselves by default or the remainder will be very minor that people will hardly notice

If there was one thing that Tanzania football misses then publicity would certainly be. What a football team needs to survive is supporters. Starting from fans that buy match tickets, fans who stay at home and watch the match on the television to sponsorship partners. Neither of that can be obtained without publicity.

What’s cutting back on this is that broadcasting is not easy in such poor conditions… football grounds that do not reach the level standards to sustain supporter’s stands plus the best broadcasting.
To start broadcasting football, certain measures must be taken. A few policies and requirement should be introduced. As per the following flow, one might think it’s just a fantasy, but reading and thinking about it carefully might serve it right;

1.     A stadium named for every team during home games. Stadiums which meet maximum requirement for both FIFA and TFF. Stating this, some people might think it is impossible … “small teams with inadequate funds won’t be able to”, you might say. But there are several ways to pass by this.

a)     2-3 teams may build a stadium or renovate a stadium and share it under contract.

b)    Teams may enroll into a contract with the regional government and the TFF and consider regional stadiums.

2.     Stadium – Player transfer and spending ratios.

      We’ve seen this being applied in established European leagues.  But the TFF should restructure this even more strictly. Teams should be limited to spending lesser amount of money in transfers corresponding to their home stadiums….. Giving out an example, teams with stadiums that can hold more supporters are awarded with higher limit. Safe to say this policy supports youth players, teams are restricted to spend more on players but rather grow their own. I wouldn’t want to go deep into that, but a topic that I wish to discuss next time, Tanzania’s youth in football, broadcasting and the national team.
     I would also appreciate if you comment, add a few stuff that you think might help in that particular part of Tanzanian football, tell me what is possible and what can be done or at least looked upon by the TFF.

             My vision for the future. follow me on twitter @Abriel2twit

 

       

Tanzania VS Ivory Coast: Talking Points

1.  Kiemba’s composure  is a joy to watch
Amri Kiemba has been around for years in Tanzanian football scene. Yet it is only recently that he is gaining the recognition he deserves. Having played for both Simba and Yanga one would expect recognition and appreciation for his talent would come easily. It has not been easy for the shy midfielder. He had a nightmare of a season at Yanga a few years ago. He was eventually axed, he went to Kagera Sugar before Simba came calling for his signature. He had a slow start at Simba but eventually clicked after the death of Papa Mutesa Mafisango. Mafisango was a darling of  Msimbazi faithfuls but Kiemba explosive form helped Simba to comfortably move on.
 He may not have the workrate of a typical attacking midfielder but his calmness and composure has been a revelation to many who have watched Taifa Stars. He has rarely misplaced a pass, only those  blessed with an extraordinary memory can recall the last time Kiemba was disposed off the ball. He takes his time, agonizingly slow at times but he always delivers the final ball. He has scored two so far, one against Morocco, a goal that will always be a joy to watch on Youtube for years to come, and the other one against Ivory Coast.

 

2. Nyoni throw-ins are much better than Rory Delap
Erasto  Nyoni,famously remembered for his winning goal against Burkina Fasso in Ouagadougou had a good game despite the Gervinho shove that gifted the Ivorians a penalty. He was excellent particularly in the second half constantly overlapping. He completely neutralized Kalou who had to be substituted in the second period. Taifa Stars threats came from the right flank where he linked well with the bullish Thomas Ulimwengu to cause constant havoc in Ivorian defense.
 His crosses were carefully weighed resulting into numerous corners. His throw-ins regardless of the distance all landed on the Ivorian penalty box. Perfect throw ins. A mixture of his throw-ins and crosses almost reduced the second half to a corner kicks affair as Ivorian defenders awkwardly cleared them.

 

3.   Thomas Ulimwengu has grown in confidence
Whatever food ulimwengu eats ought to be recommended to all our strikers.  His big frame and square face always reminds me of a buffalo. Seeing him charging past defenders, one would be easily forgiven for thinking that is the closest moment a football defender would come across a charging buffalo.
He often makes sure defenders learn the hard way about his physicality. He brushed aside Moroccans defenders as if there were merely insects. In numerous occasion he gave Ivorian defenders food for thought as he dribbled directly towards the box. His goal was a rare combination of a poacher’s instinct,great anticipation and some fine acrobatics.

 

4.    Kim got it right in the midfield
Kim Poulsen  bold decision to drop one midfielder in the Morocco’s match did not pay off. In that defeat, Tanzania midfield was simply trampled over by Morocco hence constantly exposing the defence. There was no balance between the midfield and defence. On Sunday, he reverted to his usual tactics of deploying Domayo, Salum Abubakar, Kazimoto and Amri Kiemba. Despite the weakness shown in the first half, the combination clicked.
The midfield managed to restrict Ivory Coast to employing counter attacks and utilizing the flanks as Kapombe and Nyoni,the fullbacks, pushed forward. Despite getting a brace and an assist, Yaya Toure hardly ran the show on Sunday.  He  used his vast experience  to exploit our inexperienced defenders to a devastating effect without actually running the show.

 

5.   Ngassa is still a key player but he was hardly missed
Mrisho Ngassa is still a key player for Taifa Stars but he was hardly missed on Sunday. He has been our dependable player the past four or five years. Since Kim Poulsen era began, Tanzania has been slowly being weaned off  Ngassa-dependence syndrome as we move to the modern era of possession football.
A  check on stats would reveal that he is yet to bag a goal or provide an assist in the qualifying campaign bar the preliminary stage. It is not about him, rather the tactical decisions of the coach barely suit his technical aspects. He is still an important player for Taifa Stars as the Zambia and Cecafa matches showed. In the absence of Samatta and Ulimwengu, Tanzania attacks hinges on Ngassa. We badly need need him against  Uganda in the CHAN qualifier next month.