Legends belittle closed-door games
DAR ES SALAAM: FORMER Tanzanian football legends, Abdallah Kibadeni, Edgar Fongo and Bakari Malima have condemned the impact of playing matches without fans, calling it a blow to players’ morale and the very essence of the sport.
Speaking in exclusive interviews with the ‘Daily News,’ the trio highlighted the importance of supporters in the game and urged authorities to raise awareness among the fans on responsible behaviour to safeguard the nation’s image and stadia infrastructure.
With Simba SC set to play Algeria’s CS Constantine behind closed doors, Kibadeni, a former Simba player and coach, described the absence of fans as a significant disadvantage.
“Simba’s international matches at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium usually draw packed stands and playing without fans will likely affect the players psychologically,” Kibadeni said.
He noted that fans are critical in boosting players’ morale and creating an electrifying atmosphere. Kibadeni acknowledged the resilience of professional players and technical teams in adapting to challenging circumstances.
He underscored the need for clubs and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to invest in educating supporters about the importance of preserving stadiums and maintaining peace.
“Violence and vandalism reverse efforts to attract diverse audiences, including women, children and elders, who are likely to shy away from stadiums due to safety concerns,” Kibadeni remarked.
ALSO READ: Simba halt ticket sales for CS Constantine game
Another football icon was Edgar Fongo, who criticised Simba and Young Africans for failing to condemn unruly behaviour among their supporters.
“Our big clubs often fear their fans, which prevents them from addressing unacceptable behaviour,” Fongo said.
He stressed the importance of protecting national stadiums, urging clubs to discipline their supporters and lead by example.
“You rarely hear Simba or Yanga management rebuking their fans, yet these incidents tarnish Tanzania’s image,” Fongo added.
Fongo also drew comparisons to European football fans, praising their passion but urging Tanzanians to avoid copying violent tendencies.
Reflecting on his playing days, he recalled how fan comments at Karume Stadium motivated players to perform better.
“Encouragement from your fans and criticism from opponents pushed you to fight harder,” he said.
Fongo warned that continued stadium violence could cost Tanzania opportunities to host future major regional and international tournaments. Former Yanga player Bakari Malima echoed similar concerns, saying that playing without fans robs the game of its excitement.
“Even though Simba have already qualified, the absence of fans affects players’ fighting spirit and makes them feel like they are playing away,” Malima observed.
He urged authorities to take incidents of stadium violence seriously, warning of potential national calamities if such behaviour persists.
Malima called on security personnel to focus on monitoring the stands to identify and remove troublemakers swiftly.
“Stadium violence during international games must be denounced by all sports leaders to protect Tanzania’s reputation,” he said.
The trio concluded with a unified message: Football without fans loses its soul. They called for collective action to restore peace and vibrancy to Tanzanian stadiums, ensuring the nation remains a viable host for prestigious tournaments and a hub for thrilling football.
