Yanga SC President, Engineer Hersi Said, has made the club’s position clear, putting to rest the ongoing debate surrounding midfielder Mohamed Damaro, who has recently been a major talking point in Tanzanian football.
The issue took a new turn after Simba SC lodged a complaint with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), challenging Damaro’s registration as a local player. However, TFF reviewed the matter and ultimately dismissed the claims, emphasizing that all registration procedures were properly followed in accordance with the rules.
Speaking in an interview with TBC Online, Hersi stated that Yanga has no involvement in the controversy, as the club signed Damaro after he had already been officially recognized as a Tanzanian citizen.
“Yanga SC have nothing to do with Damaro’s citizenship. We signed him after he had already been approved by Immigration and officially recognized as a Tanzanian player,” said Hersi.
He further explained that Damaro obtained Tanzanian citizenship in 2025 while playing for Singida Black Stars, before later joining Yanga on loan.
Since then, the player has been recognized by football authorities in the country as a local player in line with the regulations.
In another development, Engineer Hersi, who is also the Chairman of the African Club Association (ACA) and a member of FIFA’s Competitions Committee, has been appointed by the National Swahili Council of Tanzania (BAKITA) as a Swahili Ambassador both locally and internationally.
He will join two other BAKITA ambassadors, Mama Salma Kikwete and Jorum Mkumbi.