Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans SC (Yanga) are facing one of the most decisive moments of their season as their hopes of retaining both the CRDB Federation Cup and the Mainland Tanzania Premier League titles could depend on two crucial back-to-back matches against Azam FC.

According to the CRDB Federation Cup schedule, Yanga will face Azam FC on June 20 at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza in a highly anticipated semifinal clash. Just four days later, the two sides will meet again on June 24 in a Mainland Premier League fixture at KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam.

The two matches are expected to define Yanga’s season and determine whether the club can continue its dominance in Tanzanian football. In the CRDB Federation Cup semifinal, Yanga must win to secure a place in the final.

A defeat would mean the end of their hopes of defending the trophy they have won for four consecutive seasons. The pressure is therefore immense on coach Miguel Gamondi’s side, as only victory will keep their dream alive.

The second encounter against Azam FC in the league could prove even more important. Yanga will again need maximum points to stay on course for a fifth straight Mainland Premier League title.

However, unlike the cup match where only a win matters, the league race will also depend on Simba SC’s results in their remaining fixtures. Currently, Yanga lead the league standings with 54 points from 23 matches, while arch-rivals Simba SC are second with 52 points from the same number of games.

Azam FC remain third in the standings with 46 points and could play a major role in deciding the destination of the title. Their performances against Yanga may either strengthen Yanga’s grip on the championship or hand Simba a golden opportunity to reclaim the trophy.

Before facing Azam FC on June 24, Yanga still have four difficult league matches to navigate. The league leaders will face Singida Black Stars on May 22, Namungo FC on May 25, Mashujaa FC on June 13, and Fountain Gate FC on June 17. Yanga must collect positive results from all those matches to maintain their advantage at the top of the table.

Simba SC also have a demanding schedule ahead as they continue chasing the title. The Msimbazi giants will play Coastal Union on May 21, Dodoma Jiji FC on May 24, Pamba Jiji on June 14, Mbeya City on June 18, and Mtibwa Sugar on June 24. With only a two-point gap separating the two giants, the title race remains wide open.

Simba cannot afford to drop points if they want to keep their championship hopes alive, while Yanga know that every remaining match is effectively a final. As the season approaches its climax, all eyes will now turn to Azam FC, the team that could ultimately decide the fate of both Yanga’s league and cup ambitions.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania and the United States have started discussions on a new health cooperation agreement expected to strengthen health security, universal health insurance and local production of medical supplies, in what officials say could become a model for other African countries.

The discussions took place on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland, during a meeting between the Minister for Health, Mr Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa, and US global health official Mr Brad Smith. During the talks, both sides agreed to fast-track negotiations on a proposed memorandum of understanding on global health cooperation between Tanzania and the United States.

The two parties stressed that the partnership should deliver mutual benefits while respecting national laws and international obligations. Mr Smith serves as senior adviser for global health affairs and senior adviser in the Office of Global Health Security and Diplomacy at the US Department of State.

The discussions marked what officials described as a new phase of health cooperation between the two countries, with Tanzania signalling its intention to build a stronger and more self-reliant healthcare system capable of addressing current and future health challenges. Speaking during the meeting, Mr Mchengerwa said Tanzania was optimistic about the discussions and ready to begin technical cooperation immediately.

He said Tanzania was seeking a balanced partnership aimed at strengthening health systems, particularly in the areas of universal health insurance, local manufacturing of medical products and the use of digital technology in healthcare services. “We want a cooperation framework that delivers long-term results, improves access to quality healthcare services and strengthens the country’s capacity for greater self-reliance in the health sector,” he said.

Universal health insurance emerged as one of the key areas of cooperation during the talks. Tanzania is currently implementing the Universal Health Insurance Act of 2023, which seeks to expand access to healthcare services, reduce out-of-pocket health spending and integrate healthcare financing systems.

Through the proposed partnership, Tanzania expects to benefit from US expertise in innovative healthcare financing, insurance claims management, fraud control and strengthening the financial sustainability of health insurance funds. The two sides also underscored the importance of strengthening local production of medicines, diagnostic equipment and other medical products to reduce dependence on imports.

Mr Mchengerwa said increased domestic manufacturing would improve regional health security, enhance access to medical products and create investment opportunities for US companies in Tanzania. In that regard, he cited the existing partnership between Tanzania and Abbott in supporting the production of rapid testing kits for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis as an example of cooperation that could be expanded further.

For more than two decades, Tanzania and the United States have cooperated in combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria through various health programmes, including PEPFAR. The cooperation has also helped strengthen laboratory systems, medical supply chains and the development of healthcare professionals in Tanzania.

Through the proposed agreement, the two countries now hope to establish a more structured long-term cooperation framework focused on measurable results and capable of being replicated in other African countries. Mr Mchengerwa was accompanied at the meeting by Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdallah Saleh Possi.

On the US side, Mr Smith was accompanied by Mr Michael Behan, public health adviser at the Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations in Geneva. .

At first glance, the media industry appears to be thriving. Audiences are larger, content consumption is at an all-time high, and digital platforms have made news and entertainment more accessible than ever before.

In markets across Africa, including Tanzania, millions of people engage with media daily scrolling, watching, listening, and sharing. By traditional logic, this growth in audience should translate into stronger revenues.

But it hasn’t. Beneath the surface lies a silent crisis: media revenues are shrinking, even as audiences continue to expand.

This contradiction is not only puzzling it is dangerous. It challenges the sustainability of media organisations and raises fundamental questions about the future of the industry.

The root of this crisis lies in a shift in how value is created and captured. Historically, media organisations monetised attention through advertising.

The more people you reached, the more valuable your platform became. This model worked effectively in an era where media channels were limited and audiences were relatively captive.

Today, that model has been disrupted. Digital platforms such as Google and Meta have redefined the rules of the game.

They offer advertisers precision targeting, real-time analytics, and performance-based pricing. Instead of paying for potential reach, advertisers now pay for measurable outcomes clicks, conversions, and engagement.

As a result, a significant share of advertising budgets has shifted away from traditional media toward these global platforms. For media houses, this has created a paradox.

They continue to produce content that attracts large audiences, but they no longer control the primary channels through which that content is distributed or monetised. Traffic flows through platforms that capture the majority of advertising value, leaving content creators with a shrinking share of the revenue.

At the same time, audience behaviour has evolved in ways that further complicate monetisation. Consumption is increasingly fragmented across multiple platforms and devices.

Users no longer engage with a single media outlet; they move fluidly between websites, social media, video platforms, and messaging apps. Loyalty has declined, and attention spans have shortened.

In such an environment, capturing attention is only half the battle–retaining and monetising it is far more difficult. Another factor contributing to the revenue decline is the commoditisation of content.

The digital landscape is saturated with information. News, entertainment, and opinion are produced at scale, often at little or no cost to the consumer.

This abundance has driven down the perceived value of content, making it harder for media organisations to charge premium prices for advertising or subscriptions. So what is the way forward? First, media organisations must rethink their value proposition.

The future is not in selling space, but in delivering solutions. Advertisers are looking for partners who can help them achieve business objectives whether that is brand awareness, customer acquisition, or market expansion.

This requires a shift toward integrated offerings that combine content, data, and experiential elements to create measurable outcomes. Second, there is a need to invest in audience intelligence.

Understanding who the audience is, how they behave, and what drives their engagement is critical to unlocking value. Data should inform not only editorial decisions but also commercial strategies.

Media organisations that can demonstrate deep audience insights will be better positioned to attract and retain advertisers. Third, diversification of revenue streams is essential.

Relying solely on traditional advertising is no longer viable. Opportunities exist in events, branded content, subscriptions, partnerships, and niche products tailored to specific audience segments.

The goal is to build a more resilient business model that is less vulnerable to shifts in advertising spend. Finally, media organisations must recognise and leverage their unique strengths.

Local media, in particular, holds an advantage in trust and cultural relevance. These attributes cannot be easily replicated by global platforms.

The silent crisis facing the media industry is not a result of declining demand for content. On the contrary, demand has never been higher.

The challenge lies in capturing value in a rapidly changing ecosystem where traditional models no longer apply. Addressing this crisis will require more than incremental adjustments.

It demands a fundamental rethinking of how media organisations operate, compete, and deliver value. The audiences are there.

The opportunity is clear. The question is whether the industry is ready to adapt before the silence becomes irreversible.

Angel Navuri is a Media, Partnerships and Growth Strategist .

Navigating stocks and commodities this year must be done with a keen attention to detail. Both markets are different by nature and therefore require different analytical approaches, but that doesn’t stop them from reacting similarly to broader macroeconomic conditions, nor does it negate the research you should put into understanding every driver.

As always, you’ll need a strong understanding of how the “underlinestock and commodity markets work and their varying volatility a comprehensive deep dive can be found in this article by Exness multiple technical indicators to assist you with timing entries and identifying trends, and robust risk management strategies.

But apart from this, it’s important to stay aware of key economic indicators that will influence overall market direction.

There are numerous macroeconomic factors that could affect the stock and commodity markets in 2026, and while no one knows for sure how global conditions will evolve, it’s wise to expect a continued level of volatility across both asset classes.

H2: Inflation

Let’s start by looking at inflation.

For those unaware, this measures how quickly prices for goods and services are rising, with higher inflation often impacting interest rates and market volatility.

When it comes to the stock market, this can often be a headwind for valuations, as each stock is ultimately influenced by company performance.

If inflation is high, that likely means the company is being affected, and the stock in question is likely to experience downward pressure or at the very least, increased volatility.

For the commodity market, it plays a different role, with commodities like gold and oil often acting as hedges during inflationary periods.

H2: Interest Rates

Another economic indicator to keep an eye on is interest rates. These are set by central banks such as the US Federal Reserve or the Bank of England, and they play a key role in shaping stock valuations and influencing currency strength.

For instance, when the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, borrowing becomes more expensive for both consumers and businesses. This then leads to slower economic growth and reduced corporate profits.

At the same time, higher interest rates can strengthen the US dollar, which might negatively impact commodities like oil and gold, which are tied to dollars and therefore become more expensive for foreign buyers.

H2: Gross Domestic Product

Gross Domestic Product measures overall economic growth, with a strong GDP working to support stocks through higher corporate earnings and stronger investor confidence, and a weak GDP working to lower risk appetite and lead many to expect future growth decline.

In terms of the commodity market, it also acts as a key demand signal. Because strong economic growth typically increases industrial activity and energy consumption which can support commodities like natural gas it generally leads to higher demand for raw materials and upward pressure on commodity prices.

For “underlinenatural gas trading, this can then create stronger short-term trading opportunities, which makes it a particularly popular asset when seasonal demand is high again, you can find more details on this particular type of trading through Exness.

H2: Employment Data

If you’re more heavily invested in the stock market than commodities, employment data including unemployment rate and payrolls is going to be particularly important for assessing market health.

In 2025, for instance, “underlinejob growth in the US slowed to its weakest pace since 2020, with only 49,000 new jobs monthly. Likewise, the unemployment rate rose to a four-year high of 4.

6% in November, finishing the year at 4.4% in December.

Savvy investors would have foreseen this, using all the indicators at their disposal to draw a clear picture and manage their portfolios accordingly.

In 2026, then, it’s your job to have these indicators at your disposal NFP, average hourly earnings, and economic calendars and understand how employment can affect the overall economic outlook with strong employment supporting consumer spending and equities, and weak employment signalling economic slowdown.

H2: Purchasing Managers’ Index

Another forward-looking indicator is the Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures business activity in manufacturing and services across an economy. It’s based on surveys of business leaders, who report on numerous factors such as new orders, output levels, and supply chain conditions, making it one of the earliest signals of how economic momentum is shifting.

The interpretation can be complicated for new traders, but the important thing is that anything above 50 equals expansion, while anything below 50 equals contraction. Expansion is positive for economic growth and typically supportive for stocks, while contraction is a warning sign of slowing activity and often negative for risk assets.

The distance from 50 also matters for instance, a reading of 52 suggests mild growth, while a jump to 58 signals strong expansion and accelerating economic activity but if the move isn’t sustained, it’s not going to be a reliable indicator of long-term direction. What you’re looking for is sustained movement above or below 50, which is a strong signal of economic momentum and broader business confidence.

H2: How to Navigate the Stock and Commodity Markets

All of these economic indicators are going to have an impact on the stock and commodity markets this year, so it’s important to remain alert and keep your ear to the ground.

As we noted previously, there are numerous ways you can do this, including keeping up to date with NFP and continuously checking economic calendars to track upcoming releases and anticipate periods of high market volatility.

Apart from this, it’s also a good idea to follow central bank announcements and forward guidance closely, as these often signal future changes in interest rates before they happen.

You can also monitor real-time market reactions on “underlinefinancial news platformsand trading dashboards, which will not only help you understand what’s happening, but process the overall sentiment which will be so crucial to gauging market direction.

Combining all of this with technical chart analysis will be the key to managing your portfolios more efficiently, and ensuring that, whatever might happen, you have the appropriate framework to deal with it. .

Nyang’hwale. The second phase of a multi-million-dollar education infrastructure programme jointly implemented by the government and Barrick Mining Corporation has reached 83 percent completion.

Known as the Barrick-Twiga Future Forward Education Programme, the $30 million initiative aims to expand education infrastructure through the construction of 1,090 classrooms and 270 dormitories. Through the project 1,640 toilets in 161 schools across the country will be constructed, benefiting an estimated 49,000 students.

During the first phase, implemented between 2023 and 2024, Barrick invested $10 million to support 64 schools through the construction of 396 classrooms, 97 dormitories and 600 toilets. The second phase, which runs from 2025 to 2026, targets 65 schools and involves the construction of 318 classrooms, 116 dormitories and 542 toilets.

Speaking during a foundation stone-laying ceremony at Nyang’hwale Secondary School in Geita District over the weekend, Barrick Country manager, Melkiory Ngido, said Sh19 billion had already been disbursed to 65 schools since March 2025 under the second phase of the programme. He said Nyang’hwale Secondary School was set to receive S01.8 million for the construction of two dormitories, five classrooms and eight toilets, noting that 76 percent of the funds had already been released.

“When we build educational infrastructure, we are building dreams, capabilities and future lives,” said Dr Ngido. Dr Ngido said Barrick views education as a strategic pillar for national development rather than simply a corporate social responsibility initiative.

“True development is not measured by economic output alone, but by how investments transform the lives of ordinary citizens,” he said. According to Barrick, the project in Nyang’hwale will help reduce classroom congestion, improve accommodation for female students and strengthen sanitation and health standards.

District leaders welcomed the initiative, with Administrative Secretary Kaunga Amani thanking President Hassan for creating an enabling environment for investors whose projects support sectors such as education, health, water and roads. Meanwhile, Executive Director Husna Toni said the new infrastructure would provide students with a more conducive learning environment and improve academic performance.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian rally driver Randeep Singh has vowed to continue flying the country’s flag high in international motorsport competitions following his historic triumph in the 2026 Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC).

Randeep made history after becoming the first Tanzanian driver to win the prestigious Uganda NRC title during the recently concluded Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, one of the biggest motorsport events in the region. The talented driver from the Asas Rally Team also secured an impressive third-place finish overall in the African Rally Championship event after completing the demanding 201-kilometre rally in two hours, seven minutes and 2.

5 seconds aboard his Ford Fiesta Proto. Speaking after the achievement, Randeep said his success has motivated him to work even harder and ensure Tanzania continues earning respect in regional and international rally competitions.

“I am very proud to make history for Tanzania by winning the Uganda NRC title. This achievement is not only for me but for the whole country,” said Randeep.

“I want to continue representing Tanzania well and bring more honour to the nation through rally competitions outside the country.” Randeep described the competition as one of the toughest rallies he has competed in, noting that consistency, teamwork and preparation played a major role in his success.

The Tanzanian driver praised his sponsors, the Asas Rally Team, mechanics and supporters for standing behind him throughout the challenging event. “The support from the team was incredible.

The mechanics, engineers and fans gave us confidence from the beginning until the final stage. Without them, this success would not have been possible,” he said.

The rally was won by Kenyan driver Karan Patel in a Skoda Fabia, while fellow Kenyan Samman Vohra finished second overall. Uganda’s experienced driver Yasin Nasser settled for third place in the standings.

Apart from Randeep, Tanzania was represented by Manveer Birdi and Ahmed Huwel, but both failed to finish the rally due to mechanical problems. Randeep’s historic achievement is expected to inspire more Tanzanian drivers to participate in international rally events as the country continues making progress in motorsport.

Motorsport stakeholders have also hailed the achievement as a major breakthrough for Tanzanian rallying and a sign that local drivers can compete strongly against the best in Africa. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania can unlock more growth in its mining sector by building a stronger financing ecosystem for medium-sized mining projects, industry stakeholders have said.

Experts say many projects remain trapped between exploration funding and large-scale investment, creating a financing gap estimated at between $10 million and $50 million. They argue that closing the gap will require specialised mining finance institutions, blended financing models, stronger technical project preparation and advisory-led due diligence to improve bankability and reduce lender risk.

ASNL Advisory director Humphrey Simba said Tanzania would benefit from specialised mining finance institutions, partial credit guarantee schemes and blended finance vehicles capable of absorbing risks that commercial banks are often unwilling to take. “Introducing blended finance structures, guarantee mechanisms and specialised funds would help bridge the financing gap, reduce perceived risks and unlock more domestic capital into the sector in line with Vision 2050 objectives,” he said.

According to Bank of Tanzania data, lending to mining projects has increased steadily over the past five years, reflecting growing financial sector exposure to the industry. Commercial bank lending to mining and quarrying projects stood at S74 billion in 2021 before rising to Sh500.31 billion in 2024. In 2025, lending nearly doubled to Sh955.92 billion, representing a 91.1 percent increase compared with the previous year.

Mr Simba said despite the increase in lending, most commercial banks still lack sector-specific expertise and the risk appetite needed to finance medium-sized mining projects. He added that advisory firms are becoming increasingly important in helping transform technically viable projects into bankable investment opportunities.

Mr Simba said many projects fail to secure financing because they lack the level of technical documentation required by lenders and investors. Advisory firms help bridge that gap through technical due diligence, JORC-compliant resource reporting, financial modelling, environmental and social governance assessments and regulatory compliance support.

“Many mid-tier projects are technically viable but lack the level of documentation required by lenders. Advisory firms help convert geological potential into bankable financial propositions.

” Mr Simba said investors and lenders remain cautious because of geological uncertainty, unreliable resource estimates and execution risks such as cost overruns, infrastructure constraints and operational delays. Commodity price volatility, permitting delays and changing regulatory and local content requirements also contribute to higher perceived risks, particularly for medium-sized projects where independent technical validation is often limited, he added.

The financing challenge comes as Tanzania’s mining sector continues to play a growing role in the country’s economy, supported by increasing global demand for critical minerals used in battery manufacturing and energy transition technologies. Presenting the 2026/27 ministerial budget in Dodoma, Minerals minister Anthony Mavunde said foreign direct investment stock in the sector rose to $9.79 billion in 2024 from $9.15 billion in 2023 and $8.64 billion in 2022. He added that mineral exports reached $5.4 billion in 2025, while the sector’s contribution to GDP rose to 10.1 percent in 2024 and averaged 11.9 percent during the first three quarters of 2025. Despite this growth, stakeholders say financing constraints remain most severe among medium-sized mining projects, particularly those attempting to move from exploration into commercial production.

Minxcon Exploration director Uwe Engelmann said mining projects typically face a financing vacuum after early exploration stages. He explained that early-stage drilling and resource definition can require between $5 million and $10 million, while progressing a project into production may require between $50 million and $500 million.

Mr Engelmann said lenders generally require a Definitive Feasibility Study before committing financing. According to him, the study provides detailed engineering designs, production planning, metallurgical test results and cost estimates with greater accuracy, giving lenders more confidence in the viability of a project.

Without that level of technical certainty, many projects struggle to secure commercial financing, he said. Tanzania Bankers Association executive director Tuse Joune said banks continue to face difficulties in understanding the long-term and cyclical nature of mining revenues.

“Banks operate on certainty of repayment. If you do not understand the borrower’s business model, lending becomes extremely difficult,” she said.

Minerals commissioner AbdulRahman Mwanga said financing risks vary depending on project size, with medium and small projects facing greater uncertainty than large-scale mines backed by established investors. Analysts say strengthening mining finance capacity will become increasingly important as Tanzania expands exploration and licensing of graphite, nickel, lithium and niobium projects linked to growing global demand for battery and critical minerals.

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Dar/Geita. Chadema vice-chairman for Mainland Tanzania, Mr John Heche, said Tanzanians can attain a higher standard of living if they elect leaders through a transparent system that protects citizens’ interests.

Mr Heche, accompanied by members of the party’s Central Committee (CC), said Chadema would continue fighting for citizens’ interests while urging the public to support the party’s campaign for political reforms. The leaders made the remarks on Sunday, May 17, 2026, during the launch of the New Constitution Operation and the “Free Tundu Lissu” campaign at Nyankumbu Grounds in Geita Region.

Mr Heche said the Lake Zone should have established major mineral research and technology centres, alongside mineral beneficiation industries, arguing that such investments would have positioned Tanzania as a global economic hub. According to him, the absence of value addition has denied citizens employment opportunities, noting that although Tanzanite is found only in Tanzania, India remains the world’s leading seller of the gemstone.

Addressing supporters at a Primary School grounds in Nyankumbu Ward, Geita Municipality, Mr Heche compared Tanzania’s economic trajectory with that of China. He said China was among the world’s poorest nations in 1978, but within 47 years had transformed into one of the richest economies globally, lifting more than 400 million people out of poverty.

By comparison, he said, poverty in Tanzania continues to rise because of weak leadership systems. “Tanzanians want to enjoy better lives now, not continue being promised good lives only in heaven.

Citizens deserve to see and benefit from improved living standards here on earth, sleep peacefully, and live with dignity,” said Mr Heche. He urged religious leaders to speak honestly about Tanzania’s economic potential, insisting the country should not continue relying heavily on imported goods instead of strengthening domestic production.

He also said that Chadema would not be intimidated by threats linked to the imprisonment of the party’s national chairman, Mr Tundu Lissu. He maintained that the opposition party would continue demanding Mr Lissu’s release so that he could resume party leadership.

“We are being intimidated so that we remain silent, but we will not keep quiet. We will continue demanding justice, and what we want is for Tundu Lissu to be set free,” he said.

He further revealed that Chadema was planning nationwide demonstrations to press for key demands, including a new constitution and the release of Mr Lissu. “The demonstrations will be massive and historic, but they will be conducted in accordance with the law.

Our objective is to demand a new constitution together with the release of our chairman,” he said. Zonal chairpersons Nyasa Zone chairman Joseph Mbilinyi, popularly known as Sugu, said Tanzania’s development challenges stem from systemic weaknesses rather than an individual leader.

He said citizens must unite to dismantle ineffective systems and push for meaningful reforms. “Businesspeople, workers, farmers, and other groups must unite.

It will then become easier to overcome the hardships facing the country,” he said. Coastal Zone chairman Boniface Jacob, commonly known as Boni Yai, said accountability was necessary following events surrounding the October 29, 2025, developments.

“For our country to remain safe, everyone involved must be held accountable,” he said. Western Zone chairman Dickson Matata said it was unfortunate that residents of Geita continued to endure hardship despite the region’s vast mineral wealth.

“In many areas, people still lack access to clean and safe water. This is happening because citizens have allowed leadership to remain in the hands of people without good intentions.

People have become too tolerant and silent,” he said. Mr Matata urged citizens to rise and demand meaningful change so they could benefit from the natural resources available in their region.

Central Committee member and Central Zone patron, Mr Godbless Lema, said fear remained the greatest obstacle to change, adding that people are remembered through the impact they leave on society. .

Tanzania did not make it out of the CAF Group E of World Cup 2026 qualification, finishing third below Morocco and Niger. Only Morocco qualified for this summer’s tournament.

How will they do against the heavyweights of the world’s most popular sport, and what can Tanzania fans look out for without a team to cheer on?

Morocco have a difficult first game, playing Brazil on Saturday, June 13. The “underlinelive betting odds suggest Morocco are clear underdogs. Brazil are one of the favorites for the whole tournament.

Morocco then play Scotland on June 19 and Haiti on 24 June.

Most recently, Morocco beat Paraguay 2-1 in a friendly after drawing 1-1 with Ecuador a few days earlier.

They suffered heartbreak at the African Cup of Nations in January, losing 1-0 to Senegal, before the title was retrospectively awarded to Morocco due to Senegal players leaving the pitch in protest of a refereeing decision. According to the “underlineGal Sport Betting odds, Senegal are also underdogs in their first World Cup group game, with France clear favourites at around 1.

38.Tanzania played Nigeria in their opening match of the AFCON, but the Super Eagles also failed to qualify for the World Cup. Nigeria were beaten in the playoffs by DR Congo on penalties after the game finished 1-1. Some of the biggest talents in European football, including Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, will not make it to North America this summer.

Tanzania’s latest matches

In the March international break from club football, Tanzania lost 1-0 to Liechtenstein at home, before beating Macao 6-0 away. These were further reminders of the state of the national team: good enough to beat minnows, and good enough to compete with comparable sized nations, but currently unlikely to compete if they were to meet some of the world’s strongest teams.

Tanzania rarely concedes many goals and always puts up a good fight. In fact, other than in that defeat to Nigeria, it was March 2025 that Tanzania last conceded more than one goal.

But the other end of the pitch is a problem: Tanzania rarely score more than one either. The game against Macao was the most obvious exception, and they did manage to put two past Madagascar last August, after doing the same against Burkina Faso earlier that month.

Miguel angel Gamondi had his contract extended in February and will lead his side to AFCON 2027, which Tanzania are automatically qualified for along with co-hosts Kenya and Uganda.

What can Tanzania fans look out for at the World Cup?

Tanzania fans along with Gamondi may be able to learn a few things from how other smaller nations approach the World Cup.

Traditionally, unfancied teams have done best when they have had a tight defence and prioritised set pieces. Greece were nobody’s favourite for the European Championships in 2004 but lifted the trophy.

In the final, they beat Portugal, whose side included stars such as Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo, who enjoyed (and in Ronaldo’s case, are still enjoying) some of the most decorated careers in club football. Greece managed their extraordinary win by prioritising teamwork, effort, and concentration.

They became the first team to defeat both the European Championship hosts and defending champions in a single tournament.

Some sides will be making their first appearance at a World Cup.

Uzbekistan are expected to be eliminated in the group stage, and the bookmakers consider it almost certain that Haiti won’t progress any further.

Curaaao is the smallest nation (both by size and population) to have qualified.

They would surprise everyone if they qualified from a group of Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador. Cape Verde also has a tough group with Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.

If any of these teams can spring a surprise, Tanzania will be watching closely. There has arguably never been a true shock winner at a World Cup.

Certainly the list of winners since 2002 is unsurprising: “underlineBrazil, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and Argentina. One might say France’s 1998 victory qualifies: they had never won a World Cup (although had won the European Championships in 1982).

But the French football association had invested heavily into the sport over the previous two decades and in retrospect they had a quite stunning team that included Lilian Thuram, Marcel Desailly, Emmanuel Petit, Zinedine Zidane, and Youri Djorkaeff.

Most bookmakers believe that it is very unlikely there will be a first-time winner of the World Cup this year.

That means one of the old favorites Spain, Brazil, Argentina, France and company or a side that has not won the tournament for decades (perhaps Uruguay or England) is more likely to lift the trophy.

Tanzania will have to watch from afar this summer, but they could learn from a few underdogs before the next AFCON.

And even if there are no major surprises, Gamondi and his staff could take lessons from the world’s best. In club football, “underlineset pieces have been prioritised as much as ever in Europe this season, and it is likely that the World Cup will follow a similar theme.

Free-kicks and corners could be Tanzania’s keys if they are to succeed as a host nation. .

Arusha. The Court of Appeal of Tanzania has dismissed an appeal lodged by lawyer Steven Cleophace challenging a High Court decision that struck out his judicial review case against the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) over its election process and 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The appellate court upheld the High Court ruling after finding that the lower court had acted properly in striking out the matter despite the respondents consenting to the substantive application. The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, by a panel of three judges comprising Lugano Mwandambo, the presiding judge, alongside Panterine Kente and Leila Mgonya.

Origin of the dispute The dispute stemmed from preparations for the 2024 TLS AGM and elections conducted by the society’s secretariat. Following the preparations, lawyer Steven Kitale, a TLS member and former Lake Zone representative in the society’s Governing Council, raised two complaints.

First, he argued that the appointment of members to the Election Committee and Election Appeals Committee had not complied with legal procedures governing the process. Secondly, he challenged what he described as an irregular increase in AGM registration fees from Sh118,767 to Sh200,000 for physical attendance, arguing that the increment had not been approved by the Governing Council.

Application for leave Based on those complaints, lawyer Kitale and other Governing Council members sought documents and records from the TLS Executive Director relating to the disputed decisions, but received no response. Instead, he was advised to forward the matter to the TLS president, but he also failed to receive feedback.

Following the conduct of TLS leaders regarding the complaints, lawyer Kitale filed a case at the High Court seeking leave to institute judicial review proceedings. In Miscellaneous Application No.

16018 of 2024, lawyer Kitale sought permission to file judicial review proceedings seeking orders to quash TLS decisions and compel the society to fulfil its statutory obligations. Alongside the application for leave, he also filed an application for temporary injunction orders to stop the AGM, elections, and activities of the election committees pending hearing and determination of the matter.

In a ruling delivered by Judge Athuman Matuma, the High Court rejected the application for temporary orders seeking to halt the AGM, elections, and activities of the Election and Appeals Committees. However, the court granted leave to file the substantive judicial review case, leading to the filing of Miscellaneous Application No.

17558 of 2024 against TLS, the TLS Executive Director, the TLS Governing Council, and the Attorney General. During the hearing before Judge Wilbert Chuma, lawyers representing the respondents agreed with lawyer Kitale’s application and the reliefs sought, except on the issue of costs.

Despite the respondents consenting to the application, Judge Chuma, in a ruling delivered on April 3, 2025, struck out the case, citing, among other reasons, the absence of a decision capable of being subjected to judicial review. Judge Chuma also held that the matter had been filed prematurely and that the conditions required for granting the orders sought had not been satisfied.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, lawyer Kitale appealed to the Court of Appeal, advancing two grounds against the High Court decision. First, he argued that Judge Chuma erred in law by denying him the right to a fair hearing, contrary to constitutional guarantees of equal hearing of parties.

Secondly, he argued that the judge acted unlawfully by determining the competence of the matter despite the respondents having consented to the application, thereby violating principles governing adversarial proceedings. During the hearing of the appeal, the respondents opposed the case and urged the court to dismiss it.

Among other arguments, they maintained that a High Court judge has a duty to ensure applications before the court are legally sound, even where parties are in agreement. Court decision In its judgment, the Court of Appeal held that courts cannot issue orders merely because parties have consented.

The judges stated that even where one party agrees to an application filed by the opposing side, the court retains a duty to assess whether the orders sought comply with the law, principles of justice, and public interest. “The consent of litigants cannot remove the obligation of a judge to exercise judicial authority and conduct legal analysis before making a decision,” the judges stated in the ruling.

In its analysis, the court rejected the argument that the appellant had been denied a hearing, noting that all parties had been given an opportunity to file affidavits, present arguments, and offer explanations before the court. The judges further warned that granting all unopposed applications without scrutiny could weaken the justice system and create room for abuse of court processes.

“Considering the reasons we have given above, this court finds that this appeal lacks legal merit and is therefore dismissed without any order as to costs,” the judges concluded. .