TFF’s body to rule on statuses of three Singida BS players today

Dar  es  Salaam. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF)'s Legal and Players Status Committee will today begin to review the eligibility of the new players registered during the mid-season transfer window, in accordance with the body’s rules and regulations.

Among the players under review include three ones, who recently changed their nationalities to become Tanzanian citizens and are now part of Singida Black Stars.

The players are Emmanuel Kwame Keyekeh from Ghana, Josephat Arthur Bada from Ivory Coast, and Muhamed Damaro Camara from Guinea.

Additionally, the review will also cover players from various clubs in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League, Championship, and First League, according to the Director of Legal, Media, and Marketing, Boniface Wambura.

He said that all new players would be scrutinized by the committee, and if any barriers arise, they will be addressed before making a final decision.

“The process is a standard procedure for TFF, aimed at verifying the legitimacy of players and addressing any objections raised by clubs regarding those registered during the mid-season transfer window,” said Wambura.

There still are ongoing debates among football stakeholders and some legal experts regarding the procedures that allowed the three players to change their citizenships.

Many have raised concerns about the process of acquiring Tanzanian citizenship and its implications for both the players and the league.

However, recently the Chief Spokesperson for the Immigration Services Department, Paul Mselle, clarified that the players had obtained citizenship under Articles 9 and 23 of Tanzania's Citizenship Law, Chapter 367.

This clarification has alleviated concerns and speculation regarding the players' statuses, emphasising the importance of due process in the naturalisation of foreign athletes.

The inclusion of the three international players is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Singida Black Stars, strengthening the team's presence in both regional and international tournaments.

Moreover, this development could set a precedent for future foreign players looking to naturalise and contribute to Tanzanian football. It also highlights the growing appeal of the country's football scene as a destination for talented players from across the continent.

The granting of citizenships to the players reflects Tanzania's commitment to nurture talent and foster diversity within its football ranks.

It symbolises the nation’s openness to foreign talent, positioning Tanzanian football on a path toward further growth and success.