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Six foreign players trail Mzize in Golden Boot race
What you need to know:
- Mzize is currently at the top of the race with 13 goals, but he needs to maintain his scoring form as he is closely trailed by two foreign players
Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga)’s local striker, Clement Mzize, is battling against six foreign players to win this year’s Golden Boot award in the ongoing Mainland Tanzania Premier League.
Mzize is currently at the top of the race with 13 goals, but he needs to maintain his scoring form as he is closely trailed by two foreign players, his fellow Zimbabwean striker Prince Dube with 12 goals, and Jean Ahoua, an Ivorian attacking midfielder who plays for Simba.
Mzize, a product of Yanga’s U-20 team, is also competing with Jonathan Sowah, a Ghanaian striker playing for Singida Black Stars, who has 11 goals, and Elvis Rupia, a Kenyan international also with Singida Black Stars, who has netted 10 goals.
Another notable contender is Steven Mukwala of Uganda, playing for Simba SC, with nine goals.
Mukwala is tied with Pacome Zouzoua, another Ivorian playing for Yanga, who has also found the back of the net nine times.
It is also worth noting that Stephane Aziz Ki, last season’s Golden Boot winner and Yanga’s midfield maestro, has so far scored eight goals this season.
With several games still remaining, Aziz Ki remains a potential threat to the top spot, especially given his proven scoring ability from midfield.
So far, Mzize has taken the league by storm, proving his worth among seasoned professionals.
His goal-scoring prowess has not only put him in pole position for the Golden Boot award but also made him a key asset in Yanga’s offensive lineup.
Yanga have so far played 26 matches and have four remaining, including the one against Simba which was controversially abandoned by the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).
However, the matter has been taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and is awaiting a hearing and ruling.
Statistics show that this season’s top scorers’ list reflects the international flavor that characterizes the Mainland Tanzania Premier League, with clubs recruiting talent from across the continent.
However, Mzize’s presence on this list is a proud moment for Tanzanian football, as he represents the lone homegrown star standing toe-to-toe with foreign imports.
Yanga SC’s head coach, Miloud Hamdi, has continually praised Mzize for his discipline, sharp instincts in front of goal, and ability to read the game well beyond his years.
“Clement is not just scoring goals—he’s showing maturity, hunger, and a deep understanding of his role as a striker,” said Hamdi.
Mzize’s performance this season is not only a personal success but also a testament to the effectiveness of Yanga’s youth development system.
Having risen through the club’s youth ranks, his transition to senior football has been seamless, setting a fine example for upcoming young Tanzanian talents.
His ability to shine among a pool of experienced foreign players underscores a larger narrative about the potential of local players when given the right platform and development.
Football analysts across the country are applauding Yanga for nurturing local talent and are calling for similar investment in youth systems by other clubs in the league.
Should Mzize maintain his form, he stands a strong chance of becoming the first
Tanzanian player in recent years to win the Mainland Tanzania Premier League Golden Boot, a feat that would not only enhance his career prospects but also inspire a generation of aspiring footballers across the nation.
