Taifa Stars striker Mbwana Samatta suggests that many players from Tanzania have the potential to break through into Europe’s top clubs only if football is improved in the local league.

Samatta who plays for English Premier League side Aston Villa feels players in the Local League have attributes to make it in the big leagues.

Samatta believes Tanzania lacks exposure and there is need to develop a strong and competitive League in the country so that clubs can do better in Continental competitions such as the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

“It is evident in our league, only a few teams have the capacity to build competitive squads which can bring a positive impact in the Caf Champions League and Caf Confederation Cup,” Samatta said as quoted by the Daily News.

“In view of this, our teams which manage to qualify to play in major competitions on the continent tend to do better in the preliminary stages because they meet teams which are of the same level like them and as the contest continues, the going gets tough due to high-class teams they start to face.”

“All is not lost only if much attention can be placed on the running of the league to make it very competitive in Africa and thereafter, we can start thinking about reaching further in international competitions,” He Added.

Samatta who is also captain of Tanzania National Team believes long term investments will reap better rewards for Tanzanian clubs and make it easy for players to be noticed by European Clubs.

“I believe teams which have long term plans tend to achieve that slowly and not overnight. That same system was applied at TP Mazembe for them to reach where they are today. It simply needs ample time and adequate investment.”

“At TP Mazembe, I found the team already on the front pedal that is why it was easy for me to do my utmost to help the club excel and use the same opportunity as a channel to play in Europe.”

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer