From football to comedy: Pira finds new career

DAR ES SALAAM: ABBAS Pira began his football career with Coastal Union in 2003; he hoped the sport would define his future. More than two decades later, he is better known for making people laugh than stopping goals.

The former goalkeeper, who says he also had an opportunity to feature for Chelsea’s B team in England, has become one half of a comedy duo whose sports sketches have attracted a large online audience.

Pira says comedy had always been his first love, even while pursuing football.

“I loved both football and comedy from primary school,” he said. “Football gave me recognition as a goalkeeper, but I always knew I had a talent for making people laugh.”

His career took a different direction in 2020 after the late comedian King Majuto introduced him to fellow comedian Bambo, believing the two would make a strong partnership. Pira said the meeting laid the foundation for their success.

Since joining forces, Bambo and Abbas have produced more than 300 videos, using humour to explain football and other sports stories.

Their work has attracted thousands of viewers on YouTube and other digital platforms. “Our focus is sports through comedy,” Pira said.

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“People recognise our voices immediately and our audience continues to grow.”

He credits King Majuto with encouraging him to pursue comedy professionally.

“Majuto saw my talent, encouraged me to develop it and introduced me to Bambo,” he said. “Today, comedy is my profession.”

The duo continues to produce sports-based comedy, combining humour with football commentary for audiences across Tanzania.