Sweden’s Kilimanjaro clinches Serengeti bonanza title in Belgium

Tanzanian football pride was on full display in Europe this past weekend as Kilimanjaro FC, a team of Tanzanian players based in Sweden, lifted the Serengeti Bonanza championship trophy for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year.

The tournament, held from August 15 to 16, 2025, brought together East African teams from across Europe in a vibrant celebration of sport and cultural unity. Kilimanjaro FC defended their title in style, defeating Leeds Swahili and that is a fellow Tanzanian diaspora team based in the United Kingdom by 2–1 in a tightly contested and high-energy final.

Here, Feisal Amir and Fryad Sabri scored for Kilimanjaro, while Leeds Swahili’s Murtaza Fuad netted a consolation goal. This final marked the third time the two sides have met in the tournament’s finale, cementing a growing and entertaining football rivalry within the diaspora.

The post-match celebrations were equally spirited. Ambassador Jestas Nyamanga, Tanzania’s envoy to Belgium, presented the championship trophy to Kilimanjaro FC’s captain, Abbas Bachu, who in turn offered it to Ambassador Mobhare Matinyi, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Sweden. The symbolic gesture stirred joyous applause and chants from supporters, many of whom had travelled from across Europe to witness the final.

Kilimanjaro FC currently competes in the sixth division of Sweden’s seven-tier football system, yet has consistently dominated this diaspora tournament and that is a testament to their discipline, teamwork, and love for the game.

Historically, the Serengeti Bonanza, launched in 2021, has grown rapidly into one of the most anticipated football events for Tanzanians and East Africans living in Europe. Now in its fourth edition, the tournament was once again sponsored by Tanzania’s NBC Bank and ASAS Company.

More than just a sporting event, the Bonanza aims to strengthen bonds among the Tanzanian diaspora, promote emerging football talent, and showcase Tanzania’s image abroad.

This year’s event was graced by several high-level dignitaries, including: Mr Salvatory Mbilinyi, Tanzania’s Director of Diaspora Affairs; Ambassador Caroline Chipeta, Tanzania’s Ambassador to the Netherlands; And ambassadors representing Kenya, South Sudan, and Somalia in Belgium.

The tournament drew a wide range of spectators namely from diplomats and community leaders to students and families, all united by a shared love for football and East African culture.

In the competition, a total of 15 teams participated in the two-day tournament, representing both Tanzanian communities and other East African nationals living across Europe.

Here, among the participants were: 10 Tanzanian teams from Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Germany, and France; 3 teams from Burundi; And 1 team each from Rwanda and Somalia.

These teams featured amateur and semi-professional players many juggling studies, full-time jobs, and family responsibilities, yet showcasing immense talent and dedication to their roots.

With a growing legacy, Kilimanjaro FC’s continued dominance raises the bar for diaspora football. Their fourth straight championship win has sparked admiration and healthy competition among rival teams, particularly Leeds Swahili, who are widely seen as their fiercest challengers.

The rivalry between the two teams has become a central feature of the Bonanza, with each final they contest drawing larger crowds and greater anticipation. As the 2026 edition approaches, many will be watching to see whether Kilimanjaro can extend their record or whether a new champion will emerge.

Beyond the goals and glory, the Serengeti Bonanza represents something deeper. It is a bridge between home and abroad, allowing East African diasporas to remain connected to their heritage while building new communities in foreign lands.

Through football, the tournament fosters patriotism, unity, and cultural diplomacy, reminding participants and spectators alike that national identity can thrive even thousands of kilometres from home.

As one supporter put it after the final whistle: “We came for football, but we left with pride.”

With growing interest and increasing sponsorship, organisers hope the Bonanza will expand in scope and participation in future editions, potentially drawing more teams from the global Tanzanian and East African diaspora.

For now, though, Kilimanjaro FC reigns supreme, a mountain of consistency in diaspora football, and a beacon of Tanzanian excellence abroad.

So, if you are Tanzanian, East African, or simply a fan of good football, good food, and great vibes, simply mark your calendar. You don’t want to miss the next one under the leadership of our strategic ambassadors in the countries.