I am on Instagram. Yes, social media. Going through the accounts of Iddy Nado, Clement Mzize and Mudathir Yahya; Taifa Stars footballers.
They had not really caught my attention; until last Saturday. If you have followed Taifa Stars lately, you enjoyed brilliant displays against Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Madagascar as part of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, safari. Alas. Some may yawn and say, wait till they meet the big guns: Senegal, Gabana Bafana (S Africa), Morocco, etc.
So what?
Prior to the Madagascar tie – which we won 2-1, stats had said in previous 4 contests, the biggest African island thumped us.
But why go on Instagram?
The first 30 minutes of that Saturday 9th August game slapped my cheeks. I was with other London based Tanzanians, among them, a veteran professional footballer around 30 years ago.
He smirked: “Football should not be mixed with politics…”
We stared at him, question marks on our faces.
One asked: “The Israeli just shot, Suleiman Al Obeid, the Palestinian Pele in Gaza. Mo Salah (Liverpool), Jeremy Corbyn (UK politician) and Gary Lineker (ex BBC pundit and soccer legend) complained to UEFA for not revealing how he died. Isn’t that politics?”
We were quiet. Each time Gaza is mentioned anywhere these days? Intense pain.
Veteran player, coughed. “Right now we have a remarkable Taifa Stars team because the coach (Hemed Suleiman)… picks players who can deliver; not because they are from a certain area or are known to, so and so. Look at the demographics. Mzize. Muheza; Kapombe; Morogoro; Nado; Kondoa.”
Pause.
“You remember Brazilian coach Marcio Maximo?” He said there is abundant talent in Zanzibar. But there used to be some form of discrimination. Look now. Faisal Salum, Mudathir Yahya. Lots of gifted players.”
We listened. We swallowed.
“But players have always been from all over the country…”
Our veteran grunted.
“Mmh. Let’s be honest. Certain regions tend to produce certain types of athletes. Arusha and the mountainous regions have strong runners. Filbert Bayi and Juma Ikangaa; while Zanzibar, Morogoro, Tanga, Dar es Salaam fantastic footballers. This does not mean we cannot have footballers in Sumbawanga and Mbulu.
Or runners in Tanga. We can never have a good team with nepotism and political games…”
Could being co-hosts of these championships, equally, be helpful?
“Of course,” agreed the veteran. “Remember when Bafana Bafana hosted the world cup in 2010? They did not win the tournament; however, they were charged up so much in the heats that they beat France. And France are top ranking. They won it twice (1998 and 2018)….”
So I am perusing Instagram.
Nado, Mzize, Yahya. Images of elated, physically fit, satisfied youth. Nado’s hair style resembles young males I see daily in London.
Boosting buggy clothes in one post, he declares: “Kondoa mabegani…” meaning, proud of his Kondoa roots.
21 year old Clement Mzize has a fabulous photograph with his little daughter – captioned: “pacha wangu” (my twin). Another way of saying “me and my child resemble.”
However, the superstar striker mixes up L and R, syllables, in a post about a January 2025 match “TumshukULU Mungu” (let us thank the Lord). Typical Swahili youth of 2025.
Zanzibar’s 29 year old Mudathir Yahya, photograph (106K views) poses modestly by wife in a dark green dress. They look excellent and all proves soccer is indeed “ajira” – genuine job for – satisfied living. Average cost of Taifa Stars players is 150,000 Euros. Not much compared to Euro-American based stars, yet a start, come what may.
The three front players were crucial in the first goal. Iddy Nado’s run on the wing side then passing to Mudathir, whose powerful shot rammed the goal post and Clement Mzize made sure it was not wasted by thrashing the rebound. Within that very 30 minutes of the first half, Mzize added another to seal the win.
Taifa Stars were organised, fast and precise.
Living overseas for decades it has always been embarrassing when foreigners ask DO YOU PLAY FOOTBALL IN TANZANIA?
Bless your eyes.
Tanzania Oyee, if you are hopeful.
Email: mtegowachui@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: kwasimutokalondon
