Kilimanjaro FF scales new heights in Sweden

DAR ES SALAAM: If there is one thing Tanzanians living in Sweden want you to know, it is that football and patriotism mix beautifully in Stockholm’s brisk autumn air. The Kilimanjaro FF team, proudly owned and operated by Tanzanians in Sweden, wrapped up the 2024/25 season with an impressive third-place finish in the city’s sixth division league and no small feat in a country where football passion runs as deep as its lakes.

Their strong finish means one thing: they are on the cusp of promotion. And for Kilimanjaro FF, third place is not a resting spot; it is a launch pad.

On October 25, 2025, Kilimanjaro FF swapped the pitch for polished floors and a diplomatic audience. The team gathered at the official residence of Tanzanian Ambassador to Sweden, Mobhare Matinyi, for a brief yet spirited ceremony. The occasion? The symbolic handover of the Bonanza Serengeti Trophy, which Kilimanjaro won and for the fourth consecutive year, no less in Belgium this past August.

Leading the handover was none other than team’s Assistant Captain Richard “Messy” Ntirugererwa, whose nickname needs no explanation to anyone familiar with football greatness. As he presented the gleaming trophy to the Ambassador, smiles and laughter filled the room. After all, who wouldn’t be proud of a Tanzanian team lifting a trophy on European soil four years in a row?

The chairman’s promise-climbing higher

Kilimanjaro FF Chairman Norman Jasson used the occasion to give the Ambassador and, by extension, Tanzanians everywhere some exciting news. “Next season, we are not settling for third. We are going for first or second,” he said, his voice equal parts determination and optimism.

Why those particular spots? Because finishing first or second in the sixth division means automatic promotion to the fifth division and this is a significant leap up Sweden’s seven-tier football hierarchy.

For context, Sweden’s league system starts from local city divisions and climbs all the way to Allsvenskan, the top-flight league. For a community-based team like Kilimanjaro FF, moving up is more than a sporting achievement and it is a statement of persistence, organization, and passion.

Ambassador Matinyi, ever the statesman with a soft spot for the game, applauded the players’ efforts and assured them that the Embassy stands firmly in their corner. He revealed that talks are already underway to attract Tanzanian sponsors who can support the team financially.

His vision stretches beyond goals and trophies. “We want Kilimanjaro FF to be more than a football team,” he said. “It should be a platform to showcase Tanzania and that its culture, its business opportunities, and its tourism potential.”

It is an inspiring thought: a football club that doubles as an ambassador in cleats. Imagine visiting Stockholm, catching a Kilimanjaro FF match, and walking away not only entertained but intrigued about visiting Zanzibar or investing in Dar es Salaam.

But that is not all. In perhaps the most exciting development of the day, Ambassador Matinyi shared plans to collaborate with Tanzanian sports authorities to bring young Tanzanian players to Sweden. The goal? To give them a taste of European football, train alongside Kilimanjaro FF, and who knows maybe even earn spots in professional European clubs.

If realized, this initiative would be a game-changer. It is not just about giving young players a chance; it is about building bridges through football, connecting two continents with shared passion and opportunity.

Of course, Kilimanjaro FF is not climbing in a vacuum. The 2024/25 season saw Stocksunds IF and IFK Lidingö BK take the top two spots, earning promotion. Their ascent sets a clear benchmark for Kilimanjaro FF: it can be done and Kilimanjaro intends to do it next season.

Sweden’s football pyramid is known for its competitiveness. Each tier up means tougher opponents, longer travel, and let us be honest and that is more paperwork. But for this determined Tanzanian team, that is all part of the adventure.

A weekend of football and fellowship

After the formalities, the evening took a more relaxed turn as everyone gathered to watch the CAF Confederation Cup match between Yanga and Silver Striker. Football diplomacy in full swing that is snacks, laughter, and a few passionate debates about which Tanzanian club would go furthest in continental football.

The next day, Sunday, October 26, Kilimanjaro FF laced up once again and this time for the Stockholm Cup knockout tournament. Victory in this round would qualify them for the Swedish Football Association (SFF) competitions, opening even more doors for visibility and growth.

For now, from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to the fields of Stockholm, the team’s journey embodies perseverance, community, and an unshakeable belief that dreams can be chased anywhere.

Third place may be the current chapter, but make no mistake Kilimanjaro FF is aiming for the summit. And if the team’s recent momentum, leadership, and “Messy” magic are anything to go by, that climb may come faster than anyone expects.