DAR ES SALAAM: MAINLAND Premier League’s clubs have made major transformations to strengthen their squads by new signings.
The new signings and offloading of some players who failed to perform are likely going to make the league matches mouthwatering, thrilling and more competitive to make the title race unpredictable, after the mini-tranfer window was closed on Monday.
The country’s football giants Young Africans and Simba who have the league, CAF Champions League and Azam Sports Confederation Cup (ASFC) ahead utilized well the mini-transfer window to make some improvements in their squads to ensure their targets in the listed competitions are met.
The league defending champions Yanga have signed two players, Augustine Okrah from Benchem of Ghana and Joseph Guede as a free agent from Turkish side Tuzlaspor.
They have parted ways with Jesus Moloko, offloading on a loan deal Chrispin Ngushi and Hafizi Konkoni to Coastal Union and Dogan Turk of Cyprus respectively
Their traditional rivals Simba have recruited and will have the service of the Ivorian Striker, Freddy Michael Kouablan from Green Eagles FC of the Zambian Super League. Apart from the Ivorian they have also signed Senegalese midfielder Babacar Sarr and Gambian striker Pa Omar Jobe from FC Zhenis.
The Msimbazi street-based side have also signed winger Ladack Chasambi from Mtibwa Sugar and attacking midfielder Salehe Karabaka from Zanzibar’s JKU. The Reds have parted ways with Nassor Kapama, Shabani Chilunda, Jimyson Mwanuke and Mohamed Mussa.
Azam FC were not left behind in the transfer window as they made a few signings by bringing in a defender, Yeison Fuentes from Leones FC of Colombia, Franklin Navarro, and a shot stopper Mohamed Mustfrom in aloan deal from Sudan’s El Merrick.
The ice cream makers however have decided to let go of their Congolese striker Idris Mbombo, who left to Zambian team, Nkana.
Tanga-based Coastal Union and Mashujaa from Kigoma lead the way as among the teams that experienced major transformations in this mini-January transfer window.
AS Coastal Union and Mashujaa have confirmed parting ways with nine players each and recruiting nine other as replacements for those offloaded from their squad to rebuild their teams.
Mashujaa have signed Omary Abdalla, Erick Johora, David Ulomi, Ibrahim Ame, Reliant Lusajo, Abrahman Mussa, Nyenyezi Juma, Mapinduzi Balama, and Emmanuel Mtumbuka.
Coastal Union have Chrispin Ngushi on loan from Yanga who is the only player announced by the club and those who have been shown the exit door are Henock Mayala, Justin Ndikumana, Konare, Abdulswamad Kasimu, Daudi Mbweni, Yakubu Abdullah, Fran Golubic, Juma Mahadhi, and Balama Mapinduzi.
Other signings of the premier league sides saw Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) FC signing two Zanzibar finests who shined in the just-ended Mapinduzi Cup, and players are Abdallah Said Lanso from Mlandege and Akram Muhina from KVZ.
On their part, Southern Highlands killers Namungo FC have managed to sign Meddie Kagere from Singida Fountain Gate and Ayoub Semtawa from Coastal Union and have let their top striker Reliants Lusajo join Kigoma’s Mashujaa FC.
The 2024 January transfer window leaves a great mark as footbal lovers have witnessed plenty of deals that have been done, as each coach believes in his transformation for the upcoming second round of the Mainland Premier League.