Why Yanga, Simba have been nominated for 2024 CAF Awards

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian football giants Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba SC have been nominated for the prestigious African Club of the Year Award, as announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the continent’s football governing body.

These nominations mark a significant milestone, as Yanga and Simba are the only clubs from East Africa to be included on the list for this coveted award.

The CAF Awards, set to be held on December 16, 2024, in Marrakesh, Morocco, recognise the exceptional performance of African football. The event will feature 24 nominees.

Aside from the club nominations, Yanga goalkeeper Djigui Diarra has also earned a spot in the running for the Best Goalkeeper of the Year Award, further elevating the profile of Tanzanian football on the African stage.

This recognition not only reflects the rising height of Tanzanian football, but also places Yanga and Simba among the top clubs on the continent.

The journey to this point has been one of the formidable tasks, strategic investment, and consistent progress in continental competitions.

A path built on investment and hard work

The successes of Yanga and Simba have not come overnight. The two Tanzanian clubs have invested talents (players recruitment), turning themselves into serious contenders in African inter-club competitions.

Over the past decade, the clubs have poured resources into recruiting top-tier players, while hiring experienced technical staff.

Yanga, for instance, have been a dominant force in Tanzanian football, consistently winning the domestic league and making deep runs in continental tournaments.

Last year, the club reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup, a feat that earned them widespread praise and their second consecutive nomination for the African Club of the Year Award.

Simba, on the other hand, have also become a powerhouse in African football, regularly competing in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup group stages.

Their abilities to progress past preliminary stages as well as group stages against top African teams have solidified their reputation as one of the best clubs in East Africa. The successes of both clubs are a testament to the work being done behind the scenes.

While Tanzanian clubs once struggled to compete against Africa’s football giants, today, Yanga and Simba can go toe-to-toe with heavyweights like Egypt’s Al Ahly, DR Congo’s TP Mazembe, and Morocco’s Raja Casablanca.

Their competitive performances have earned them respect across the continent.

As of now, Tanzania is one of the elite 12 African nations that field four teams in CAF competitions, with two clubs in the CAF Champions League and two in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Tanzania’s rise in the rankings, currently holding 71 points, places the nation sixth on the continent, reflecting the progress made in domestic football.

Diarra: A star in the making

Yanga’s goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra, has also been a key part of the club’s success.

The Malian shot-stopper has been nominated for the Best Goalkeeper of the Year Award, competing against some of Africa’s finest goalkeepers, including Oussama Benbot (Algeria/USM Alger), Andre Onana (Cameroon/Manchester United), Yahia Fofana (Ivory Coast/Angers SCO), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns).

Diarra’s exceptional performances in both domestic and continental competitions have made him a fan favourite and a vital asset for Yanga. His agility, reflexes, and leadership on the field have been crucial in Yanga’s defensive solidity, which played a major role in their run to the CAF Confederation Cup final last year.

Diarra’s nomination is a recognition of his hard work and dedication, as well as a reflection of Yanga’s upward trajectory. Should he win, it would be a moment of pride not only for him, but also for Tanzanian football as a whole.

Stakeholder reactions

The nominations of Yanga and Simba have sparked excitement among football stakeholders in Tanzania.

Former Yanga and national team player Ali Mayay expressed his pride in seeing the two clubs recognized on the continental stage.

He believes that this is a reflection of Tanzanian football’s growth and progress over the past few years.

“Yanga and Simba are no longer just participants in CAF competitions; they are strong contenders,” said Mayay.

“This is why they are in the awards, unlike teams from traditional African giants like Ivory Coast and Cameroon. At the national team level, we are still working toward the same status.”

Mayay also highlighted how the successes of Yanga and Simba have influenced the national team, with many players from both clubs now regularly being called up to represent Tanzania.

“National team coaches want players with experience and exposure, and Yanga and Simba provide that,” he added.

Abel Mtweve, a youth coach, also praised the clubs for their achievements, calling the nominations a milestone for Tanzanian football.

However, he urged both Yanga and Simba to aim even higher, suggesting that their next goal should be to win the CAF Champions League or the Confederation Cup.

“Our teams are at a high standard compared to many others, but this is not enough,” said Mtweve.

“Yanga and Simba must keep pushing to reach the top. It’s not easy, but with more investment and dedication, it’s achievable,” he said.

Challenging for continental glory

While the nominations are a moment of celebration for Yanga and Simba, both clubs know that the road to true continental dominance is still ahead of them.

Competing against African giants like Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Wydad Casablanca requires continued investment in player development, infrastructure, and technical expertise.

However, Yanga and Simba recent performances suggest that they are on the right track.

Yanga are currently competing in the CAF Champions League group stage, while Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Both clubs have their sights set on making deep runs in their respective competitions, with the ultimate goal of bringing continental silverware back to Tanzania.