There has been mixed reaction from football stakeholders in the country following the decision by the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) to name Young Africans SC’s Allan Okello as the NBC Premier League Player of the Month for May 2026, ahead of Simba SC’s Clatous Chama.
Chama enjoyed an outstanding month in May 2026, scoring five goals and providing four assists, continuing to showcase the high level that has made him a key figure for the Msimbazi giants.
In addition, the Zambian midfielder won four consecutive Man of the Match awards during the same period, leading many fans and analysts to believe he deserved the monthly accolade more than any other player.
However, the awards committee selected Allan Okello, who according to statistics contributed to 10 goals, scoring nine and providing one assist. Chama, on the other hand, was directly involved in nine goals in total.
The decision has sparked heated debate online and among Simba SC supporters, many of whom expressed surprise that Chama missed out despite his consistent Man of the Match performances during the month.
Some stakeholders argue that the criteria used in selecting the award winners should be reviewed to better reflect a player’s overall influence on the pitch, especially in cases where a player appears to have a stronger impact on their team’s performance.
Nevertheless, for Simba fans, what remains important is Chama’s contribution to the team, as he continues to be one of the key pillars of their recent success.
While the award is considered a prestigious recognition, a player’s primary responsibility remains performing for the team, regardless of individual accolades.
