Can these aging local stars prove their worth in 2015/16 season?

Dar es Salaam. The 2015/16 Vodacom Premier League season kicked off over the weekend with 16 outfits embarking on the pursuit of the prestigious title.

A lot will be at stake this season considering how the teams have bolstered their ranks. Young players are expected to break into the limelight while those in the twilight of their careers are looking forward to clinging on to their places.

Here are 10 players who may hang their boots or fail to extend their deals with the current clubs.

1. Nadir Haroub ‘Cannavaro’, 33

The stalwart Young Africans centre back defender inked for the Jangwani Street boys in 2003 from former Zanzibar champions, Malindi FC.

Cannavaro, as he is fondly known by the Jangwani Street club’s fans, has served the reigning champions for 12 years, winning seven league titles besides laying his hands on two Kagame Cup trophies.

His name has certainly become synonymous with Yanga. However, at 33, his illustrious career at the Jangwani club is likely to come to an end or play as a substitute.

2. Juma Kaseja, 30

After a protracted contractual dispute with Yanga last season, Kaseja is back between the posts. This time around, he will be donning the Mbeya City colours for the next six months.

Kaseja has been a top shot stopper for the past 15 years, playing for Moro United, Simba SC and Yanga. His record speaks for itself.

However, the eagle-eyed goalkeeper is no longer at his best as age is catching up with him.

Contrary to the widespread belief that the older the goalkeeper gets the better he becomes between the posts, Kaseja has been on the downward spiral and it will be hard to convince Mbeya City to extend his stay.

3. Musa Mgosi, 29

Mgosi is a household name in the country. He grew into an accomplished player with Simba before signing for DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo.

Life was not rosy at the Congolese giants as the agile forward returned to join JKT Ruvu before decamping to Mtibwa Sugar.

Mgosi has returned to Simba for the 2015/16 season. Despite his record at the Msimbazi Street club, few are of the view that he can make a strong impact in the league.

He is renowned for his versatility and an eye for goals, but he is seemingly being affected by age, for he is no longer that aggressive. He will have to improve drastically to stay at Simba beyond this season.

4. Shaban Nditi, 32

The 32-year-old defensive midfielder is the longest-serving member of the current Mtibwa Sugar squad. He has spent 12 years with the team.

Nditi has been integral part of the Manungu-based team.

With the rise of talented youngsters like Musa Nampaka, Jamal Mnyate and Ibrahim Jeba, the future of Nditi at Mtibwa after this season is uncertain.

5. Athuman Iddi ‘Chuji’, 27

The former Polisi Dodoma, Simba SC, Yanga and Taifa Stars midfielder is looking past his prime time despite being left with up to five years of playing competitively.

After failing to secure deals in top league teams, Chuji crossed to First Division side, Mwadui FC, which he helped to win promotion.

The midfield kingpin has another chance to shine in the premiership, but he faces a stiff competition in the starting lineup after Mwadui bolstered their ranks with the likes of Maregesi Mwangwa and Nizar Khalfan.

In addition to his frequent injuries, Chuji, who has been in bad books of some coaches, faces a real battle to stay at the Mwadui moneybags.

6. Aggrey Moris, 31

He has been playing regularly for Azam FC since his arrival from Zanzibar’s Mafunzo in 2009. He is a brilliant defender.

For the years he spent with Azam, Morris has won the Kagame Interclub Cup, Vodacom Premier League and Mapinduzi Cup.

Morris is still on top of his game at Azam even though he will not stay longer at the club due to his age.

At the age of 31, it is always difficult to deal with speedy youthful strikers and Azam coach Stewart Hall must be eying a backup to the Zanzibar defender.

Will he stay beyond May? That is a multi-million shilling question.

7. Juma Nyosso, 31

The former Simba SC centre-back was released by the Msimbazi Street side last season and crossed to Mbeya City as a free agent. He had mixed fortunes.

The hard-tackler faces a battle to regain his previous form if he wants to stay in the topflight league.

8. Bakari Kigodeko, 40

At the age of 40, Kigodeko who played a crucial role for Mwadui FC in the previous Second Division League, scoring important goals that enabled the team to secure Premier League promotion, will be the oldest player in the premiership.

With the signing of Paul Nonga, Jerry Tegete and Rashid Mandawa, Kigodeko may be forced to hang his boots. He is expected to make his appearance cameos from the bench. Nothing big may be expected from the aging striker.

9. Hamad Ndikumana, 36

No doubt the 36-year-old Stand United defender has proved his quality for both club and national team. He has 51 caps for Rwanda and notably helped the Amavubi qualify for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) for the first time in its history.

Has signed a one-year contract for the Shinyanga outfit, but there is little possibility that the former Anorthosis Famagusta and Anderlecht player will be rewarded with a long-term extension after his current deal expires.

10. Amri Kiemba, 32

Kiemba shone with the likes of Yanga and Simba, and was an influential attacking midfielder for Taifa Stars. However, after his contract with Simba expired, he joined Stand United as a free agent in July. The midfielder, who was loaned out to Azam by Simba, failed to find his niche at the Chamazi side and it is unquestionable that his glorious days are almost over.

Kiemba will have to pull up his socks at Stand United otherwise he will be on his way to a lowly team next season.