TFF heaps praise on ‘gifted’ Samatta

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has congratulated foreign-based Taifa Stars skipper Mbwana Ally Samatta after his Belgian side sailed through to the group stage of the Europa League.

Samatta, who plies his trade with KRC Genk in Belgium, has made history by being the first Tanzanian player to feature in the group stage of the league.

The in-form striker played a key role in his club’s 4-2 victory against Buducnost of Montenegro in a penalty shootout. The two teams tied 2-2 in two legs.

Samatta scored a crucial goal in the first leg played in Belgium, in which his side won 2-0. Genk, however, lost 2-0 in the return leg at the Pod Goricom Stadium in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Speaking with The Citizen, TFF secretary general Mwesigwa Celestine said heaped praise on Samatta for making Tanzania proud in the prestigious league. He attributed the star’s career success to “professional behaviour”.

Samatta, who won the prestigious (2015) CAF Player of the Year Award for players based in Africa, is now a regular starter in the KRC Genk squad. Though he had a sudden impact with Genk, the former TP Mazembe import was usually substituted in the last 10 or 15 minutes.

“Tanzania has many talented players like Samatta, but because some of them lack professionalism, they fail to go beyond our borders,  or if they do they will end within the African continent, Middle East and Far East only,” said the TFF chief.

 “We have Thomas Ulimwengu in DR Congo, he is doing fine; we hope soon he will follow Samatta.  We are also expecting to see some of our players in the Serengeti Boys team who have gained significant international exposure and are now the pride of our nation in the African Youth Championships.”

He said Tanzanian players must have “passion for the game” if they want to  get to the top of the world. “Samatta has proved that it’s possible, and the same assignment remains for other players,” said Mwesigwa.

 Samatta’s former coach at Simba SC, Zambian Patrick Phiri, also once credited the striker’s success to “personal discipline”.

“He’s very gifted, but number one, he is disciplined,” Phiri was quoted as saying after the Mazembe deal.