Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Mainland giants Young Africans (Yanga) have made a decisive move in the transfer market by signing Ugandan attacking midfielder Allan Okello from Vipers FC, a decision firmly rooted in immediate tactical needs rather than long-term speculation.
The acquisition underlines Yanga’s determination to protect their domestic dominance while fixing a clear weakness in their attacking structure.
For much of the season, Yanga have looked solid and well balanced, but one area has raised concern among fans and the technical bench alike: creativity in the final third.
Despite having several exciting young players on the wings and in attacking midfield, consistency has been elusive.
Celestine Ecua, Edmund John and Offen Chikola have all shown moments of quality, but they are still developing and have struggled to influence games regularly at the high level demanded by a club of Yanga’s stature.
With league and cup trophies at stake, the club could not afford to wait indefinitely for potential to turn into reliability.
Okello therefore arrives as a ready-made solution. The 24-year-old is widely regarded as one of East Africa’s most technically gifted attacking midfielders.
At Vipers FC, he built a reputation for his intelligent movement, sharp passing and ability to score from midfield.
Comfortable playing centrally or drifting wide, Okello offers Yanga versatility and tactical flexibility, qualities that are vital in tightly contested domestic matches.
More importantly, Okello brings composure and experience. Having featured in the CAF Champions League and played under intense pressure at Vipers, he understands what it takes to perform when expectations are high.
Yanga, as one of the most supported clubs in the region, demand that same mental strength from their players, and Okello’s background suggests he is well equipped to handle it.
Another major factor behind the move is Yanga’s desire to improve their service to the strikers.
While the team has capable forwards, the supply line into the box has not always been consistent, especially against compact and defensive opponents.
Okello’s ability to pick out runs, thread through-balls and arrive late in the penalty area should help unlock stubborn defences and reduce the pressure on the central attackers.
There is, however, a notable short-term limitation. Due to CAF regulations, Okello will not be eligible to play for Yanga in continental competitions this season, having already featured for Vipers FC in the CAF Champions League.
He will only be available for the Tanzania Mainland Premier League and the CRDB Federation Cup.
Yet this restriction has not discouraged Yanga’s leadership. On the contrary, they view Okello as a strategic domestic reinforcement someone who can directly influence the competitions that determine local supremacy.
With the league race and Federation Cup both finely balanced, his contribution could prove decisive.
His presence will also create healthy competition within the squad and offer a valuable example for younger attacking players learning how to perform under pressure.
In many ways, the Okello signing reflects Yanga’s broader philosophy: act decisively when weaknesses are identified.
Rather than gambling on raw potential alone, the club has chosen experience, proven quality and immediate impact.
Even without continental football this season, Okello’s arrival sends a clear message to rivals and supporters alike Yanga are fully focused on winning now, and they are prepared to make smart, targeted moves to ensure their ambitions remain firmly on track.
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