It is reported that Yanga’s new striker, Suleiman Mwalimu, returned to Tanzania yesterday from Moroccan club Wydad CA with the intention of joining Simba.
Simba had completed all the procedures to sign Mwalimu on loan. The club handled his travel arrangements from Morocco and received him upon his arrival in Dar es Salaam.
After landing in Dar es Salaam, Mwalimu travelled to Zanzibar, where he joined the Simba squad in the evening and took part in training with the team.
That was not the end of it. Mwalimu also participated in other team activities during the night, including having a meal together with his new teammates.
However, Yanga already had information that although Simba had reached an agreement with Wydad, they had not yet made the payment required to complete the striker’s transfer.
The good relationship between Yanga President Engineer Hersi Said and Wydad officials gave him an opportunity to obtain accurate information, allowing him to complete the process of signing the striker on a season-long loan. That same night, Mwalimu travelled from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam to sign the contract.
Simba officials were left stunned and unable to understand what had happened, as the player had been with them until late at night, only for them to wake up the following morning and find unveiling photos of him on Yanga’s social media pages.
Mwalimu’s signing is part of the long-running ‘war’ between Yanga and Simba over signing each other’s players, a rivalry that is far from new.
Many fans still remember what happened with Bernard Morrison a few seasons ago, although Yanga later signed Morrison again.
Former fourth-phase President Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete once said that this rivalry has existed for many years, and that when one club takes your player, you should not complain but instead prepare to take one of theirs.
Since the Morrison saga, Yanga have become increasingly adept at recruiting players from their rivals. After signing Jonas Mkude, bringing back Morrison, signing Clatous Chama and Mohamed Hussein ‘Zimbwe Jr’ last season, they have now added Mwalimu this season in a move that could hurt Simba even more, given that he was an important part of their plans.
Just two days ago, Simba unveiled him at their Simba Day celebration. Today, he is a Mwananchi...!
