What’s wrong with Aziz Ki?
What you need to know:
- This season, Yanga have played 10 matches, and Aziz Ki, the 2023/2024 Player of the Season, has managed only one goal — a penalty kick.
Dar es Salaam. As the Tanzania Mainland Premier League reaches the 11th round, last season’s top scorer, Stephane Aziz Ki, has yet to find his good form, having scored only one goal in his last ten matches.
In the previous season, Aziz Ki, who clinched the Golden Boot with 21 goals, had scored nine goals by the 10th round for his team.
The Burkinabe player scored all of his goals without a single penalty and was awarded the match ball after a hat-trick in Yanga’s 3-2 victory over Azam FC.
This season, however, Yanga have played 10 matches, and Aziz Ki, who also won the Player of the Season Award for 2023/2024, has managed only one goal — from a penalty kick. He scored that goal in a 4-0 win over Pamba Jiji FC.
In addition, Aziz Ki missed a penalty in Yanga’s 3-1 loss to Tabora United.
Despite his scoring struggles, Aziz Ki has two assists: one for Mzize’s 88th-minute goal against Kagera Sugar and another for Bacca’s 14th-minute goal against KenGold FC.
Last season, in the 10th round, he had also two assists, including one for Yao’s 65th-minute goal against JKT Tanzania and another for Nzengeli’s 63rd-minute goal in Yanga’s 5-1 victory over Simba.
With 20 league matches left, Aziz Ki still has the opportunity to regain his form, contend for the Golden Boot, and possibly secure the MVP title again.
Currently, Yanga’s top scorer is Maxi Nzengeli, with three goals, followed by centre-back Ibrahim “Bacca” Hamad, who has scored twice.
Midfielders Pacome Zouzoua and Clement Mzize have each scored two goals, while Clatous Chama, Jean Baleke, and Kennedy Musonda have one goal apiece.
Aziz Ki and Yanga teammates will need to step up their game to catch up with the league's current top scorer, Selemani Mwalimu of Fountain Gate FC, who leads with six goals.
The second-top scorer is Simba’s attacking midfielder, Jean Ahoua, with five goals, followed by Edgar William (Fountain Gate) and Peter Lwassa (Kagera Sugar), who each have four goals.
On the list of players with three goals in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League, aside from Nzengeli, are Paul Peter (Dodoma Jiji FC), Elvis Rupia, Marouf Tchakei (Singida Black Stars), Nassor Saadun (Azam FC), Maabad Maabad (Coastal Union), Joshua Ibrahim (KenGold), Salum Kihimbwa (Fountain Gate), and Offen Chikola (Tabora United).
