Tanzanian referee Ahmed Arajiga: The unsung hero of the match between Yanga and Azam

Arajiga deserves commendation for his courage. He has set a standard for other officials, demonstrating that difficult calls must be made without hesitation, regardless of the significance of the match or the teams involved.

Historically, fans have been vocal in suggesting that referees shy away from making such tough decisions early in a game, fearing backlash.

We’ve seen this play out before; for example, Jonesia Rukyaa faced heavy criticism when she sent off Abdi Banda during a match between Simba and Yanga, with many claiming she had ruined the game.

However, the reality is that a red card can and should be issued at any point in a match if warranted.

Arajiga exemplified this principle, especially after Ramadhan Kayoko recently failed to send off Simba’s Abdulrazak Hamza during a similar incident in a derby.

It is rare for Simba and Yanga to be on the receiving end of stringent officiating; they often benefit from leniency.

Arajiga has shown that taking decisive action is not only possible but necessary.

In the past, players from teams like Simba and Yanga have often escaped punishment for dangerous fouls due to their teams’ reputations, leaving referees hesitant to enforce the rules strictly.

Arajiga’s decision to send off Bacca was not just about that single incident; it was part of a broader trend of increasing accountability in officiating.

His past decisions, such as awarding penalties to Azam against Yanga and Simba, reflect his consistency and commitment to fair play.

Arajiga’s maturity as a referee was evident when he awarded Yanga a penalty for their fifth goal against Simba.

A lesser referee might have overlooked the foul on Maxi Nzengeli, given Yanga’s commanding lead, but Arajiga remained resolute.

Improving the quality of officiating will undoubtedly enhance the competitiveness of our leagues.

Poor refereeing is not confined to matches involving Simba and Yanga; it permeates other Premier League games as well.

Referees sometimes make questionable decisions, believing that less prominent matches will not attract scrutiny.

However, in a match devoid of glaring incidents apart from Arajiga’s decisions, it is fair to say he emerged as the real “Man of the Match” through his accurate officiating.

Returning to the match itself, it was a testament to Yanga’s quality. The team’s ability to maintain possession and create opportunities even after going a man down was remarkable and left me in awe.

While Azam might celebrate Gibril Syllah’s goal, the match starkly highlighted the gap between the two teams.

Had Yanga capitalized fully on their opportunities, the outcome might have been drastically different.

Azam seemed to struggle to manage the game as Yanga, despite being a player down, displayed superiority in play.

They even began wasting time, hoping for the match to end, especially after Nickson Kibabage missed a clear chance to score.

Throughout the match, Yanga appeared to momentarily lose focus, with some players getting carried away by their early success.

However, after their previous match against Singida and the recent encounter, it’s clear they are beginning to hit their stride again. Their opponents should be wary.

Another commendable aspect of Yanga in recent years is their ability to handle defeats with grace. It is rare to hear them publicly blame players or management after a loss.

They typically reflect quietly on their performance, allowing them to regroup and come back stronger.

In contrast, their rivals often struggle to cope with defeats or draws, resorting to finger-pointing instead of constructive criticism.

Yanga has immense confidence in their squad, believing they can rebound quickly from setbacks.

This self-belief is crucial. Just look at how they handled losses to teams like Ihefu. They took those defeats in stride, which ultimately benefits their growth.

In conclusion, Arajiga’s exemplary officiating should be recognized, and Yanga’s resilience should be celebrated.

As they continue to evolve, the entire league stands to benefit from their commitment to improvement and accountability on and off the pitch.