TFF to meet Samatta over Taifa Stars resignation
Tanzania national football team (Taifa Stars) captain Mbwana Samatta in action during the team’s past match. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Samatta is not included in the Taifa Stars squad for the Africa World Cup qualifier scheduled on June 11 against Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia.
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has announced that it will hold discussions with the national football team (Taifa Stars) captain, Mbwana Samatta, regarding his resignation from the team.
Samatta is not included in the Taifa Stars squad for the Africa World Cup qualifier scheduled on June 11 against Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia.
Although no reason has been given for Samatta's decision, TFF stated that they had put his resignation letter on hold pending the discussion.
TFF Secretary General Kidao Wilfred said they still regard Samatta as the Taifa Stars captain until further notice.
“We will meet with Samatta to discuss the matter. There was communication between the player and the coach when Taifa Stars featured in a special tournament dubbed the FIFA Series organized in Azerbaijan by the world football governing body (FIFA),"
Samatta requested not to be included due to his team commitment. Not only Samatta, but also some other players requested not to be included in the team. So, there is still room to discuss the matter and come to a final decision,” said Kidao.
He explained that Samatta is the most high-profile player in the country, and TFF cannot let him go easily.
“We have the task of meeting with Samatta and his management to discuss the matter and come up with a resolution,” he said. He added that Samatta is the only player in the country who won the Best African Player of the Year Award for the domestic league in 2016 with TP Mazembe of DR Congo.
This followed TP Mazembe’s victory in the CAF Champions League in 2015. Samatta also won a gold medal with KRC Genk of Belgium (Belgian Pro League) in 2019.
His twenty-goal tally saw him finish the season as the league's top scorer. He also won the Ebony Shoe award in Belgium for his outstanding season with KRC Genk and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
Samatta also played in the English Premier League with Aston Villa, winning a silver medal in the Carabao Cup in the 2019/2020 season after losing 2-1 to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium and the consolation goal was scored by him.
He then moved to Turkey’s Fenerbahce from 2020 to 2023 and was loaned to Antwerp in 2021/2022 before returning to KRC Genk in the 2022/2023 season. He later joined PAOK of Greece and managed to win silverware this season.
Samatta is the first Tanzanian player to have featured in all major European competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.
“Once you talk about Samatta, you have to know that you are talking about the country's football icon. So, it is not easy to accept his resignation; we need to discuss it,” stressed Kidao.
