The Tanzania Footballers’ Association (SPATA) has begun looking into the situation involving Yanga defender Israel Mwenda, who has continued to be absent from the Mainland Premier League champions’ squad amid uncertainty over his relationship with the club.
The development comes after Mwenda, through his representatives, sought SPATA’s assistance in efforts to find a resolution to the differences between him and Yanga, his employer.
SPATA Chairman Mussa Kisoki confirmed that the association is aware of the matter but said it was still too early to disclose the steps being taken as the process of addressing the issue is ongoing.
“SPATA is the Tanzania Footballers’ Association, so if there is anything concerning players, we must step in because the regulations allow us to do so. Regarding this matter, I ask you to give us time and we will provide clarification,” Kisoki said in an interview with Mwanaspoti.
The development adds a new dimension to the Mwenda saga, which has been discussed since the end of last season, with the defender having failed to feature in Yanga’s squad during the build-up to the 2026/27 season.
Yanga: Mwenda Was Not Suspended
Yanga’s management has repeatedly denied reports that the club suspended Mwenda or issued him with a letter accusing him of sabotaging the team.
In one of his interviews, Yanga’s Head of Information and Communications, Ally Kamwe, said the club had never suspended the player, but rather that Mwenda had initially stayed away from the team before submitting a letter requesting to step aside.
According to Kamwe, after receiving the letter, the club responded by instructing Mwenda to return to work and provide an explanation for his absence, but he did not return to the training camp.
Kamwe noted that the letter was dated July 3, 2026, in which Mwenda explained that he had decided to step aside to give himself time for self-reflection over his performances during a period when Yanga were striving to achieve their objectives.
The saga has largely been linked to the Mainland Premier League match between Simba and Yanga played on May 3, 2026, at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw after Simba scored twice in the opening minutes before Yanga fought back to level the score.
Mwenda was among Yanga’s starters in that match but played only the first half. After the game, he faced intense scrutiny from some supporters who felt his mistakes contributed to Simba’s goals.
However, those reports have not established that Mwenda made the mistakes deliberately or that there was any match-fixing involved.
