Match fixing, doping faulted

Dar es Salaam. Minister for Home Affairs Mwigulu Nchemba urged football fans on Sunday to shun cheering foreign teams no matter how bitter rivalry their local clubs have.

It is becoming a tradition for the fans of the two oldest rivals in the country--Simba SC and Young Africans--to throng the stadium and lend support to their nemesis’ opponents.

The minister, who was spotted following Yanga’s training session recently, made the remark during the prize giving ceremony of the Vodacom Premier League players, coaches and referees in Dar es Salaam.

“Let’s be patriotic no matter which local team you are affiliated to. It is a shameful act for true Tanzanians to wave foreign teams flags at our stadia. This has to come to an end, let us support each other when our sides play those from other countries,” said Nchemba amid applause.

The Iramba West legislator was the guest of honour at the event, which saw Yanga defender Juma Abdul clinch the Vodacom Premier League Best Player of the Year award.

Nchemba also advised clubs to observe fair play and restrain from match fixing, for the habit does not help the Tanzanian soccer make a stride.

“I would like to request all clubs to observe fair play. We don’t want to see teams winning matches and titles via bribery. Match fixing will neither help our clubs nor national team to excel on international scene. Let the best teams win,” he said.

“My ministry in collaboration with that of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports will work together to ensure that habits that impede sports development are stamped out,” he added.

Nchemba also railed against footballers who take performance enhancing drugs, saying they have no place in sports.

“If we leave such things to continue in sports, we will never make a stride. Our tag will always be also-rans. We must come up with foolproof measures that will change the country’s fortune,” the minister advised.

Yanga reign supreme

Yanga, the mainland champions, walked away with a total of Sh110, 060,423 after winning five categories at the colourful ceremony.

The club bagged Sh81,345,723 for winning the premiership while Abdul pocketed Sh9,228,820 for emerging as the best player.

Yanga celebrated another award as their Dutch head coach Hans Van Der Pluijm was declared the best coach of the season. He walked away with Sh8 million.

Amissi Tambwe also added to the Yanga’s awards after winning the golden boot. He is entitled to Sh5, 742,940 after finishing the season with 21 goals while his Zimbabwean teammate, Thabani Kamusoko, won best foreign player category.

The 28-year-old midfielder took home Sh5, 742,940.

Discipline

Mtibwa Sugar were declared as the most disciplined, beating the likes of JKT Ruvu and Mgambo Shooting. They were awarded some Sh17.2 million. The best goalkeeper of the season is Aishi Manula of Azam after edging Deogratius Munishi of Yanga and Benno Kakolanya (Tanzania Prisons). The Azam youngster earned Sh5. 7m.

The best young player of the season award went to Simba left back Mohamed Hussein. He beat the likes of Farid Mussa (Azam), Mzamiru Yasin (Mtibwa Sugar) and Shiza Kichuya (Mtibwa Sugar).

Hussein received Sh4milion as his teammate Ibrahim Hajibu pocketed Sh3m after his goal was voted as the best of the season.

Referee’s gong

The award for the best referee of the 2015/16 Premier League went to Ngole Mwangole who took home Sh5.7m.

Mwangole, who handled most of his matches brilliantly, edged fellow nominees Anthony Kayombo and Rajab Mrope. Mwangole earned Sh5, 742,940.

Azam FC, who finished second behind Yanga, were rewarded Sh40.6m as third-placed Simba earned Sh29m. Fourth-placed Tanzania Prisons went home with Sh23.2m.

On cloud nine

Speaking after picking prize, Abdul said that he was overjoyed and promised to work harder next season to retain the award.

“I am on cloud nine. I did not expect this award because other nominees also had a fine season. I am very happy and thanks to all Yanga players for helping achieve this feat,” he said.

“Had it not for my teammates, I would not be here today. I thank them and the technical staff very much.

Pluijm, who gave the Jangwani Street giants their 25th league title, thanked the committee for the award, adding that it has motivated him to aim for more glory.

“All nominees in this category also winners; they did well with their teams just like me, but at the end of the day there must the overall winner and I am pleased to win it this year,” said the Dutchman who is on his second coaching stint at Yanga.

Vodacom Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Zone Head of Sales, Domician Mkama congratulated all nominees and winners and called on them to put up more effort next season.