Legends urge grassroots investment ahead of CHAN, AFCON
DAR ES SALAAM: AS the countdown begins to Tanzania’s much-anticipated hosting of the CHAN and AFCON tournaments, the spotlight isn’t just on the national squad or tactical line-ups, it’s also on the turf beneath their boots and the terraces filled with fans.
Legendary players-turned-pundits are raising their voices not in criticism of the current team, but in passionate advocacy for the future of Tanzanian football.
Their message is that the true path to continental glory begins not in the stadiums of Dar es Salaam or Arusha, but on the grassroots pitches scattered across villages and towns.
Veteran football icon, George Masatu, a former Taifa Stars and Simba SC stalwart, praised the government’s recent push to build and upgrade stadia ahead of the tournaments. But he was quick to stress the need for a broader, long-term vision.
“It’s not just about hosting big tournaments. It’s about laying foundations for future generations,” Masatu emphasised.
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“We need pitches close to where talent lives. That means stadiums in the heart of our communities, not just in city centres.” He called on both public and private sectors to amplify investments in rural and regional sports infrastructure, describing it as the single most important factor in unearthing and nurturing raw talent.
Masatu also urged top-tier clubs to move away from relying on governmentowned stadiums. He applauded Azam FC as a model for club-owned infrastructure and challenged giants like Simba SC and Young Africans SC to follow suit.
“Clubs like Simba or Yanga shouldn’t be hiring stadiums,” he said.
“With their status, they should have their own modern grounds.” Citing the logistical chaos during the CAF Confederation Cup final, which was relocated to Zanzibar’s New Amaan Complex, Masatu underlined the ripple effects of not having a home stadium from disrupted management plans to inconvenienced fans. “A home stadium would’ve solved all that,” he added.
“Tanzanians love football. That passion should be matched with proper infrastructure. We need several quality stadiums in every region.” Joining the call was fellow football legend Adolph Rishard, a revered former player for both Yanga and the national team, Taifa Stars.
He echoed Masatu’s sentiments and urged for a comprehensive, national strategy focused on developing community-level pitches.
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“If we build the pitches, the talent will come and this will improve our league and eventually, our national team will benefit,” said Rishard. Reflecting on his own journey, Rishard lamented the increasing barriers faced by today’s young talents particularly the high costs of accessing football academies.
“Many academies now require fees and that leaves out kids from less privileged families, the very kids who often possess raw, unmatched talent,” he explained.
In the past, all it took was a dusty field and a ball. Today, the stakes are higher, and so is the need for inclusive, accessible infrastructure.
“That’s why investing in free, accessible grounds is so vital,” Rishard concluded.
As Tanzania positions itself on the continental stage with pride and promise, the message from its footballing greats rings loud and clear: Before we hoist the trophy, we must first raise the standards of where football begins. Build the pitches, empower the communities and watch a new generation of champions rise from the grassroots.
