Mzize going nowhere, pens one-year extension at Yanga

This announcement ends weeks of speculation about Mzize’s future, as the forward had been strongly linked with moves abroad.

Clubs in North Africa and the Middle East had expressed serious interest in acquiring his services, but Yanga management decided to secure the player’s stay by extending his contract and improving his financial terms.

Among the suitors, Tunisian giants Esperance Sportive de Tunis were the most serious contenders. Esperance, a four-time African Champions League winner, had reportedly agreed to pay Yanga a transfer fee of US$1 million (Sh2.6 billion).

Their bid was slightly higher than that of Qatari side Umm Salal SC, who had earlier offered US$900,000 (Sh2.2 billion) along with a lucrative monthly salary of US$20,000 (Sh50 million) for the player.

For Yanga, the Esperance offer met expectations and the club was prepared to release the striker. However, negotiations collapsed dramatically at the final stage when Esperance unexpectedly withdrew their proposal.

This sudden turn of events left Yanga with little time to act, but the management responded swiftly by renewing Mzize’s contract for an additional year.

A source within the club revealed that the decision was aimed at not only securing the player’s services but also maintaining stability in the squad ahead of the new season.

“We have decided to extend his deal so that he stays with us for two more seasons,” said the source. “Esperance cancelled the deal at the last minute, so we moved quickly to keep him and improved his salary. Mzize is still with Yanga and is not going anywhere.”

The retention of Mzize is a significant boost for Yanga’s head coach Romain Folz, who is preparing his squad for another demanding season both domestically and on the continental stage.

Folz, who has been instrumental in reshaping the squad’s style of play, will now continue to rely on Mzize’s attacking prowess to drive the team forward.

The coach has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining the club’s core players, and Mzize’s extension aligns perfectly with that vision.

Mzize has played a vital role in Yanga’s recent dominance in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League.

His ability to score decisive goals, combined with his pace and composure in front of goal, has made him a favorite among the fans.

For Folz, keeping Mzize ensures continuity in the team’s attack and strengthens their ambitions to defend their league crown while also making a deeper run in the CAF Champions League.

For Yanga supporters, the news brings relief and renewed optimism. The uncertainty surrounding the striker’s future had caused concern, especially with strong offers from financially powerful clubs abroad.

However, the decision to extend his stay signals Yanga’s determination to hold onto their best talent and compete at the highest level.

In the end, what looked like a likely departure has turned into a statement of intent from Yanga. With Mzize committed for two more seasons and Romain Folz at the helm, the Jangwani giants are sending a clear message: they are ready to dominate locally and challenge seriously on the African stage.