KRC Genk’s Tanzanian striker Mbwana Samatta (left) celebrates with teammate at the end of their Belgian Jupiter League match against Anderlecht on Thursday night. They drew 1-1. PHOTO | AGENCIES
What you need to know:
Mbwana Samatta will be the first Tanzanian to feature in the Uefa Champions League next season as KRC Genk – his team – have been crowned Belgian Jupiter League champions
Dar es Salaam. The national soccer team, Taifa Stars, captain, Mbwana Samatta, has joined a select group of renowned African players to win a top flight title in Europe.
Samatta will be the first Tanzanian to feature in the Uefa Champions League next season as KRC Genk – his team – have been crowned Belgian Jupiter League champions.
Genk’s fourth title – and first since 2011 – came with the last round of the season to be completed tomorrow.
They landed the title after drawing 1-1 with Anderlecht to establish a four-point lead at the top of the table ahead of Club Brugge.
Samatta played a key role in Genk’s fourth league title in their history and their first in eight years on Thursday night.
This comes a few days after the 26-year-old striker emerged the team’s top-scorer in the Belgian top-flight with 23 goals.
He has scored 62 goals in 155 matches in all competitions since joining the team from DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in 2016.
The gifted striker has also scored 47 goals in 122 matches of the Belgian League, and two goals in nine games in Belgian Cup.
Samatta, who featured for Mainland soccer giants Simba before signing for TP Mazembe, has also scored 14 goals in 24 matches in the Europa League.
The government has congratulated the player for his impressive performance with the Belgian team.
Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Harrison Mwakyembe showered praise on Samatta for his success, saying he has all it takes to shine in the Uefa Champions League.
He also challenged local players to be focused, disciplined and diligent, noting that success is always the outcome of hard work.
“The Belgian league is a tough competition with some very good teams. Samatta and his team deserve congratulations to be the best of them all,” said the minister.
Genk are no strangers to European football. Their victory over Besiktas in Istanbul in this season’s Uefa Europa League is among matches that showed they had what it takes to win the domestic championship.
For his part, sports analyst Ali Mayay said described Samatta as one of the best strikers Tanzania has ever produced.
