Category: The Citizen

Unguja. Zanzibar is preparing for one of its busiest cultural seasons as the globally acclaimed Sauti za Busara music festival gets set for its 23rd edition, scheduled to run from Thursday, February 5, to Sunday, February 8, 2026. Organisers have announced that, for the first time in its history, the festival will move to a new and larger venue at the Mnazi Mmoja grounds in Stone Town, citing growing demand for space, rising audience numbers and ongoing renovations at the Old Fort, its traditional home.

The annual event, widely branded as the “Friendliest Festival on Planet Earth”, is expected to draw thousands of local and international visitors, who will gather to celebrate unity, diversity and togetherness through music. This year’s edition will feature more than 400 musicians from 21 countries across Africa and beyond.

Busara Promotions, the non-governmental organisation behind the festival, said the shift to Mnazi Mmoja will allow for an enhanced festival experience for both audiences and performers. The new venue will include an outdoor market showcasing local Zanzibari products, food and music, expanded space for food vendors, designated zones for brand activations and interactive experiences, a larger backstage area for artists, and a dedicated networking hub for music professionals.

Organisers say the grounds will also offer improved accessibility, easier movement between stages, more shade from mature trees and better access by foot, public transport and private vehicles. Located about a 15-minute walk from Forodhani Gardens and the Old Fort, Mnazi Mmoja is expected to accommodate the growing crowds more comfortably.

Ticket sales have already signalled strong demand. Early Bird tickets have sold out, while Advance Tickets are reportedly moving fast, driven in part by the festival’s headline act, legendary Malian musician Salif Keita.

“The fact that this year’s edition features Salif Keita has given ticket sales and hotel bookings a massive boost,” said Festival Director Mr Journey Ramadhan. “With his long career of hit songs since the 1980s and his latest global hit Yamore trending across social media and radio stations, we knew interest would be high.

We have been working closely with the Government of Zanzibar and relevant authorities to ensure the festival can be hosted safely in a space that meets this growing demand.” Beyond entertainment, the 2026 edition will also place strong emphasis on social impact.

In partnership with the Government of Zanzibar, UN Women and the European Union, Busara Promotions will roll out the Inspire to Lead! activations, aimed at advancing gender equality and women’s leadership. “These activations will help amplify the efforts under the Gender Transformative Action Programme, including initiatives to break the glass ceiling and end violence against women and children,” said Busara Promotions programmes officer Ms Zakialulu Mdemu.

“Through rich cultural programming, we will also raise awareness about the One-Stop Gender Centres provided by the Government of Zanzibar for survivors of domestic violence and harassment.” At the same time, Busara Promotions has received more than 100 applications from 11 countries for its Gender@Work Tanzania project, which focuses on equipping women with technical skills in the live music and events industry.

The initiative trains women in areas such as event production, stage management and artist liaison. Over the past five years, the programme has trained 30 women, many of whom have since transitioned into professional careers in the music sector.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Music In Africa Foundation and is funded by the International Fund for Cultural Diversity, a UNESCO initiative that supports inclusive growth and sustainable cultural development in creative industries. With a new, larger venue in the heart of Stone Town, a world-class lineup led by Salif Keita, sold-out Early Bird tickets and a strong focus on community impact, organisers say Sauti za Busara 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most memorable editions in the festival’s history.

As thousands of visitors prepare to descend on Zanzibar this February, anticipation continues to build–underscoring the festival’s place not only as a major cultural event, but as a powerful celebration of African music, unity and identity. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Mainland giants Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga SC) have officially taken a major step toward realizing their long-held dream of owning a modern home ground after issuing a public call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from strategic partners and investors for the construction of the Yanga Stadium and allied facilities.

In a public notice dated January 9, 2026, the club invited reputable, financially capable local and international firms, investors or consortia to partner with Yanga SC in developing the proposed stadium project under a long-term partnership arrangement. The stadium is planned to be constructed at Jangwani/Twiga Street, formerly the site of the Kaunda Stadium, on land owned by the club.

According to the notice, the move is aligned with Yanga SC’s long-term infrastructure development strategy, which aims to enhance the club’s commercial strength, operational independence and global competitiveness. The project is expected to be a milestone in Tanzanian football, reflecting the club’s ambition to match continental standards both on and off the pitch.

Project vision and partnership model Yanga SC stated that it intends to establish a strategic partnership under a funded partner model, whereby the selected partner will mobilize and fully cover the costs of construction and related development works. The club made it clear that it is open to evaluating various commercially viable partnership structures proposed by interested parties.

These structures include, but are not limited to, naming-rights models, sponsorship-led funding, concession or Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, and Design-Build-Finance-Operate (DBFO) frameworks. Any proposed model will be subjected to review and approval through the club’s internal governance and decision-making organs.

This flexible approach, according to the notice, is designed to attract a wide pool of experienced investors and developers with the technical and financial capacity to deliver a modern stadium that meets international standards. Indicative scope of the stadium project The scope of the proposed partnership is expected to cover the full construction and delivery of the stadium and its associated infrastructure.

While final specifications will be provided at a later stage to shortlisted parties, the indicative scope outlines a comprehensive and modern football facility. The planned stadium will have a seating capacity ranging between 25,000 and 35,000 spectators, positioning it among the largest club-owned football venues in the country.

The stadium superstructure and bowl will include modern spectator facilities and seating designed for comfort, safety and accessibility. The playing surface is expected to be a hybrid pitch, incorporating advanced pitch technology, drainage and irrigation systems to ensure durability and year-round usability.

In addition, the project will include VIP and hospitality areas, media and broadcast facilities, as well as key operational spaces to support matchday and non-matchday activities. Security systems, access control and turnstiles will also form part of the project, alongside stadium lighting, electrical systems and utilities that meet international broadcast and safety standards.

External works such as parking areas, access roads and landscaping are also included within the indicative scope. Eligibility and investor expectations Yanga SC outlined minimum eligibility requirements for interested parties, emphasizing experience, financial strength and technical capability.

Potential partners must demonstrate a proven track record in financing and/or delivering major infrastructure projects, preferably stadiums or equivalent large-scale developments. Strong financial capacity and the ability to mobilize project funding are key requirements, supported by evidence such as audited financial statements and proof of funding capacity.

Interested parties are also expected to show technical and project delivery capability, either directly or through Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) or contracting partners. Compliance with Tanzanian laws and regulations is mandatory, ensuring that the project adheres to national legal, tax and regulatory frameworks.

EOI submission requirements The club has set out clear requirements for submitting an Expression of Interest. At a minimum, interested parties must submit a signed Letter of Interest, company or consortium details including country of registration, a brief high-level profile and relevant experience, and an indicative partnership or funding concept.

Contact details of a designated contact person must also be provided. In addition, mandatory supporting documents must be submitted in PDF format.

These include certificates of incorporation or registration, a valid business license, VAT registration where applicable, tax clearance certificates or equivalent proof of tax compliance, and company ownership or beneficial ownership disclosures. Where required, interested parties are also encouraged to submit audited financial statements for the last three years, proof of funding capacity such as bank comfort letters, and summaries of comparable projects previously undertaken.

Upon receipt and evaluation of the EOIs, Yanga SC will share next-stage requirements with shortlisted or interested parties. These will include preliminary project information, confidentiality processes where applicable, and engagement timelines.

The announcement has been widely welcomed by Yanga supporters and football stakeholders, who view the project as a transformative development for the club and Tanzanian football at large. If successfully implemented, the stadium is expected to enhance matchday revenues, attract major international events and strengthen Yanga’s commercial brand.

As one of the most successful and widely supported clubs in East and Central Africa, Yanga SC’s stadium project represents not only an infrastructure investment but also a statement of intent — signaling the club’s ambition to secure a sustainable and globally competitive future. .

Dubai. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned on Saturday that safeguarding security was a “red line” and the military vowed to protect public property, as the clerical establishment stepped up efforts to quell the most widespread protests in years.

The statements came after U.S.

President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Iran’s leaders on Friday, and after Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday declared: “The United States supports the brave people of Iran.” Unrest continued overnight.

State media said a municipal building was set on fire in Karaj, west of Tehran, and blamed “rioters”. State TV broadcast footage of funerals of members of the security forces it said were killed in protests in the cities of Shiraz, Qom and Hamedan.

Protests have spread across much of Iran over the last two weeks, beginning in response to soaring inflation, but quickly turned political with protesters demanding an end to clerical rule. Authorities accuse the U.

S. and Israel of fomenting “the riots”.

Rights groups have documented dozens of deaths of protesters. Army says ‘Terrorist groups’ seek to undermine security Authorities continued to impose an internet blackout.

A witness in western Iran reached by phone said the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) were deployed and opening fire in the area from which they were speaking, declining to be identified for their safety. In a statement broadcast by state TV, the IRGC – an elite force which has suppressed previous bouts of unrest – accused terrorists of targeting military and law enforcement bases over the past two nights, killing several citizens and security personnel and saying property had been set on fire.

Safeguarding the achievements of the 1979 Islamic revolution and maintaining security was “a red line”, it added, saying the continuation of the situation was unacceptable. The military, which operates separately to the IRGC but is also commanded by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced it would “protect and safeguard national interests, the country’s strategic infrastructure, and public property”.

Palestinians search for their belongings after another deadly Israeli strike, one of several across the Gaza Strip on Thursday. In a country with a history of fragmented opposition to clerical rule, the son of the last shah of Iran who was toppled in the 1979 Islamic revolution has emerged as a prominent voice abroad spurring on the protests.

Pahlavi says goal is to prepare to ‘seize city centres’ In his latest appeal on the X social media platform, U.S.

-based Reza Pahlavi said: “Our goal is no longer merely to come into the streets; the goal is to prepare to seize city centres and hold them.” He also called on “workers and employees in key sectors of the economy, especially transportation, and oil, and gas and energy”, to begin a nationwide strike.

Trump said on Thursday he was not inclined to meet Pahlavi, a sign that he was waiting to see how the crisis plays out before backing an opposition leader. Trump, who bombed Iran last summer and warned Tehran last week the U.

S. could come to the protesters’ aid, issued another warning on Friday, saying: “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.

” “I just hope the protesters in Iran are going to be safe, because that’s a very dangerous place right now,” he added. Some protesters on the streets have shouted slogans in support of Pahlavi, such as “Long live the shah”, although most chants have called for an end to rule by the clerics or demanded action to fix an economy hammered by years of U.

S. and other international sanctions and pummelled by the 12-day war in June, when Israel and the U.

S. launched air strikes on Iran.

A doctor in northwestern Iran said that since Friday, large numbers of injured protesters had been brought to hospitals. Some were badly beaten, suffering head injuries and broken legs and arms, as well as deep cuts.

At least 20 people in one hospital had been shot with live ammunition, five of whom later died. On Friday, Khamenei accused protesters of acting on behalf of Trump, saying rioters were attacking public properties and warning that Tehran would not tolerate people acting as “mercenaries for foreigners”.

The Revolutionary Guards’ public relations office said three members of the Basij security force were killed and five wounded during clashes with what it described as “armed rioters” in Gachsaran, in the southwest. Another security officer was stabbed to death in Hamedan, in western Iran.

The son of a senior officer, Brigadier General Martyr Nourali Shoushtari, was killed in the Ahmadabad area of Mashhad, in the northeast. Two other security personnel were killed over the past two nights in Shushtar, in Khuzestan province.

The protests pose the biggest internal challenge in at least three years to Iran’s clerical rulers, who look more vulnerable than during past bouts of unrest amid a dire economic situation and after last year’s war. The leaders of France, Britain and Germany issued a joint statement on Friday condemning the killing of protesters and urged the Iranian authorities to refrain from violence.

Authorities have described protests over the economy as legitimate while condemning what they call violent rioters and cracking down with security forces. Iran’s clerical establishment has weathered repeated past bouts of unrest, including student protests in 1999, over a disputed election in 2009, against economic hardships in 2019, and the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests.

Iranian rights group HRANA said it had documented 65 deaths including 50 protesters and 15 security personnel as of January 9. The Norway-based human rights group Hengaw said more than 2,500 people had been arrested over the past two weeks.

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Dar es Salaam. We are not talking football today, but art and the extraordinary talent of Michel Kuka Mboladinga, popularly known as Lumumba or Lumumba Vea.

Mboladinga is one of Africa’s most unique football fans, who has captured attention with his remarkable way of supporting his national team, DR Congo, at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco. Unlike other fans, he cheers while standing completely still, his right hand raised throughout the entire match, almost like a living statue.

Early life and passion for football Born on September 26, 1976, Mboladinga displayed a special passion for football from childhood, alongside a love for his country’s culture and history. His journey as an unusual, devoted fan began in 2013 when he chose to support his national team in a way unlike any other–by standing still and raising his right hand throughout matches, never moving for the full duration of play.

A tribute to history This distinctive style won him fame, as he never showed emotion even when his team scored. His calm, statue-like demeanor is a tribute to the historical and political memory of Patrice Lumumba, DR Congo’s first Prime Minister after independence in 1960, who is revered for his dedication to his nation and struggle for freedom.

Patrice Lumumba was assassinated in 1961. AFCON 202526 performances During several AFCON 202526 matches, Mboladinga continued to draw attention, wearing the DR Congo flag colors–blue, yellow, and red–while standing motionless for the entire match, in homage to the famous Lumumba statue in Kinshasa. His behavior contrasted sharply with the cheers and songs of other fans in the stadium.

In recognition of his dedication, Mboladinga was given a special honor: he traveled alongside a small group of fans whose trips to Morocco were sponsored by the Congolese government, showing the value placed on him by his nation. What has impressed many is his remarkable endurance.

He remains motionless, without lowering his hand, even during extra time, often gazing upwards, seemingly lost in thought. Legacy at AFCON 2025 Although DR Congo was eliminated from the AFCON tournament, Mboladinga made history, becoming a fan attraction.

He managed to stand a total of 390 minutes across four matches, including the Round of 16 game where DR Congo played 120 minutes before losing to Algeria’s Boulbina with a late goal. At the moment the decisive goal was scored, Mboladinga was reportedly seen shedding tears while standing.

Through his unique dedication, Michel Kuka Mboladinga has turned football fandom into art, leaving a lasting impression at AFCON 2025. .

Dar es Salaam. The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (Necta) has announced the results of the Standard Four National Assessment and the Form Two National Assessment.

The results were officially announced today, January 10, 2026, by the council’s Executive Secretary, Dr Said Mohamed, during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam. .

Arusha. Grief and mourning have engulfed the family of Joachim Laizer after losing two children who drowned while swimming.

Abednego Joachim (13) and his younger brother, Ebenezer Joachim (9), drowned in a deep section of a swimming pool. The incident occurred on January 7, 2026, at Kilimanjaro Food Hotel in the Sakina area of Arusha.

Preliminary reports indicate that the children had been taken to the hotel by their mother for swimming. It is further reported that she left them under the hotel’s supervision as she went out to buy school supplies.

Arusha Regional Police Commander Justine Masejo confirmed the incident on Friday, January 9, 2026, saying investigations are ongoing and a full statement will be issued later. “It is true the incident occurred, but investigations are still underway.

A comprehensive statement will be released once the inquiry is complete,” he said. Father calls for accountability Speaking at his home, the children’s father, Joachim Laizer, said Abednego had completed Standard Seven and was expected to join Form One this year, while Ebenezer was due to start Standard Four.

He said he suspects negligence contributed to the deaths, stressing that children should always be supervised by an adult while swimming. “While I was attending to my father at KCMC Hospital in Moshi, I received a call informing me that my children had been overwhelmed by water while swimming and were rushed to St Joseph Hospital.

I kept asking myself how children could be swimming without supervision. I was deeply shocked,” he said.

Mr Laizer said although his children cannot be brought back, he wants legal action taken against those responsible so that it serves as a lesson for other recreational facilities. “I want the hotel owner to be held accountable, not just for our family but as a warning to others.

The hotel should also put in place stronger safety measures to protect other children in the future,” he said. Hotel and staff give differing accounts When Mwananchi visited the hotel, a senior official who identified himself only as an operations manager confirmed the incident but denied any negligence, describing it as an accident.

“The negligence you are talking about is your claim. We have no information indicating negligence.

If you need more details, you should consult the police, who are handling the matter,” he said on January 8, 2026. However, a hotel employee who requested anonymity, quoting colleagues, claimed that while the children were swimming, one of them entered a deep section of the pool meant for adults and began to drown. The other child attempted to rescue him, and both ended up drowning.

“Normally, when children are swimming, there is a supervisor who ensures they do not go into deep areas. On that day, there was no one monitoring them, which delayed rescue efforts until it was too late,” the employee alleged.

Village leader urges thorough probe The chairman of Kimnyaki Village, Samweli Meliyo, said the incident has shocked and saddened the community. “Losing two children at once is a heavy blow to the family and the community.

We urge security authorities to conduct thorough investigations to establish whether there was negligence, and if so, legal action should be taken,” he said. Although police have not officially confirmed it, reports indicate that four people are being held for questioning as investigations continue.

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Moshi. The Kilimanjaro Regional Police are holding a woman from Ongoma South village, Uru North ward, Moshi District, over allegations of assaulting her niece’s son after he reportedly took her coat and wore it.

It is alleged that on January 4, 2026, the boy, a Standard Five pupil at a local school, took the coat and wore it to keep warm. This reportedly angered his aunt, who allegedly began attacking him with a blunt object, striking various parts of his body.

Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa confirmed the woman’s arrest, whose name has not been disclosed, on January 6, 2026, saying investigations are ongoing. Once completed, she will be handed over to the courts.

“It is true that we have detained a woman over an assault incident against this child. Once our investigation is complete, we will present her in court,” Commander Maigwa said.

The child recounts the incident The boy told authorities that on the day of the incident, he met two young men who claimed to have been sent by his aunt to bring him. They took him to her home, where the assault occurred.

“On Sunday, I took my aunt’s coat because I was feeling cold and wore it. In the morning, I returned it to go to my grandmother.

On my way back, I met the boys, who told me they were sent to get me. They took me to my aunt’s house.

When I arrived, she hit me on the head with sticks. When I showed her where the coat was, she burned my hands with hot plastic,” the child said.

Family speaks out The boy’s grandfather, Frate Mushi, said the assault stemmed from the child taking the coat without permission. He added that on Sunday night, returning from Njoro, Moshi Town, he found his grandson in poor health, complaining of severe pain in his head, groin, and arms, with his body soaked in water.

“My grandson was sitting on the couch; he couldn’t even touch himself. He told me he had been hit on the head and burned on the arms with plastic.

I was shocked because no one had told me anything before I saw him in such severe pain,” Mushi said. The boy’s grandmother, Sarapia Mushi, said she discovered the child’s injuries when he was struggling to open a door due to the pain.

“On the day of the incident, I went to visit my husband’s aunt in Njoro. On returning home, I noticed the lights were off.

When we knocked and the child opened the door, I saw him crawling in pain. When asked, he said his aunt had beaten him.

She then abandoned him at our house,” the grandmother said. She added: “I tried to bathe him, but he was complaining of severe pain in the groin, waist, and head.

The next day, I reported the matter to the police, and with their help, the suspect was arrested.” Sarapia Mushi also said the incident paints a negative picture for the community, emphasizing that the child had taken the coat merely to keep warm, and nothing more.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview published on Friday that he hopes to “taper off” Israeli dependence on U.S.

military aid in the next decade. Netanyahu has said Israel should not be reliant on foreign military aid but has stopped short of declaring a firm timeline for when Israel would be fully independent from Washington.

“I want to taper off the military within the next 10 years,” Netanyahu told the Economist. Asked if that meant a tapering “down to zero,” he said: “Yes.

” Netanyahu said he told President Donald Trump during a recent visit that Israel “very deeply” appreciates “the military aid that America has given us over the years, but here too we’ve come of age and we’ve developed incredible capacities.” In December, Netanyahu said Israel would spend 350 billion shekels ($110 billion) on developing an independent arms industry to reduce dependency on other countries.

In 2016, the U.S.

and Israeli governments signed a memorandum of understanding for the 10 years through September 2028 that provides $38 billion in military aid, $33 billion in grants to buy military equipment and $5 billion for missile defence systems. Israeli defence exports rose 13% last year, with major contracts signed for Israeli defence technology including its advanced multi-layered aerial defence systems.

U.S.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Israel supporter and close ally of Trump, said on X that “we need not wait ten years” to begin scaling back military aid to Israel. “The billions in taxpayer dollars that would be saved by expediting the termination of military aid to Israel will and should be plowed back into the U.

S. military,” Graham said.

“I will be presenting a proposal to Israel and the Trump administration to dramatically expedite the timetable.” .

Dar es Salaam. A total of 49 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses that recently arrived in the country have begun offloading at the port, with expectations that they will start operating later this month.

The Public Relations Officer of the Dar Rapid Transit Agency (Udart), Gabriel Katanga, said this on Friday, January 9, 2026, while speaking to Mwananchi about the progress of receiving the buses. Earlier this week, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government Tamisemi), Riziki Shemdoe, while inspecting the rehabilitation of damaged buses, also spoke about the arrival of new units.

Ms Shemdoe said the government had allocated Sh20 billion for the purchase of 100 buses and directed Udart to ensure they are cleared quickly from the port and stored at an alternative site to avoid rising storage charges. Mr Katanga said the offloading of the buses from the vessel was completed on January 8.

He said the buses already in the country are part of the 99 units expected in the first phase, aimed at improving transport services along the Kimara corridor under the BRT Phase One (BRT-1), which began operations in 2016. The project, which was designed to operate with 305 buses, currently has only about 40 in service after many broke down. The decline was attributed to prolonged operation without proper maintenance and overloading of passengers.

As a result, commuters have repeatedly raised concerns over poor services, including long waiting times at bus stops. In response, the government announced the addition of 60 buses from the Mbagala route operated by Mofat Company.

The decision was announced by former Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on October 2, 2025, during an inspection tour of BRT services from Kivukoni to Kimara in Dar es Salaam. Mr Majaliwa said the government decided to deploy 60 additional buses to supplement the 30 that were operational at the time in order to address the shortage.

“We have decided to bring in 60 buses from Mofat to operate on this corridor, and they have started providing services today (October 2). Our goal is to ease the transport challenge on this route,” he said.

Speaking to Mwananchi on January 9, Mr Katanga said another 50 buses are expected to arrive on January 15, bringing the total number of new buses to 100. One prototype bus has already arrived and is in operation. “Before the challenges emerged, we had about 140 buses.

Many later broke down due to prolonged use without maintenance, flooding in the Jangwani area, and some were set on fire during the election-related unrest on October 29, 2025, leaving only 40 buses in operation,” he said. He added that the arrival of the new buses will significantly improve transport services along the Kimara corridor, where commuters have complained for a long time.

Mr Katanga also said the government has already released Sh1.2 billion for the rehabilitation of 30 buses, with 20 already repaired and ready to resume service. “We are confident that commuters will enjoy improved services,” he said, thanking the public for their patience and urging them to take care of the buses.

A Kimara resident, Raphael Chirwa, said Udart should also ensure proper maintenance of the buses since they were purchased using taxpayers’ money. “There is a tendency among some workers to neglect government projects, which leads to poor handling of public assets,” he said.

Meanwhile, Neema Dawson, a resident of Mbezi, said promises of improved services must be matched with action. “Even if 500 more buses are added, it will not help unless there is commitment, accountability and proper management,” she said.

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Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has added her voice to the growing debate surrounding Tanzania’s controversial exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2025, saying the Taifa Stars displayed courage and discipline despite circumstances that appeared stacked against them.

Tanzania were eliminated in the Round of 16 after a 10 defeat to tournament hosts Morocco following extra time, but the manner of the loss has sparked widespread criticism of officiating and tournament neutrality. Speaking after hosting the national team at State House in Dar es Salaam, President Hassan revealed that she watched the entire match and commended the players for their resilience under pressure.

“The team fought bravely and represented our country with dignity,” she said, noting that the Taifa Stars remained composed despite what many observers viewed as contentious decisions. However, the Head of State went further, suggesting that Morocco’s progression had felt inevitable given their status as hosts and their influence within African football.

“We all know why what happened had to happen. The team we were playing against is the host of Afcon and a wealthy nation with influence over the organisers,” President Hassan said.

Her remarks resonated with frustrations expressed by fans and analysts across the continent, particularly following a key incident late in extra time when Tanzania were denied a penalty. Despite appeals, the referee declined to consult the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), intensifying criticism over the technology’s inconsistent application at the tournament.

Referee Boubou Traore has since come under scrutiny, with observers arguing that several marginal decisions favoured the hosts. Statistics circulating online indicate that in seven Afcon matches officiated by Traore involving Morocco, the Atlas Lions have won all seven, conceding just one goal,with all penalties awarded in their favour.

While not proof of wrongdoing, the figures have fuelled suspicion and eroded confidence. Tanzania’s elimination was particularly painful given their overall performance at Afcon 2025. The Taifa Stars drew 11 with Tunisia and Uganda, narrowly lost 21 to Nigeria in their opener, and delivered what many regarded as their strongest display against Morocco.

Concerns over officiating have not been limited to Tanzania’s match. Morocco’s subsequent 20 win over Cameroon was also overshadowed by disputed decisions, prompting protests from Cameroonian players and supporters.

Tensions escalated further when the Moroccan Football Federation successfully objected to the appointment of Egyptian referee Amin Omar ahead of that fixture. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) replaced him with Mauritanian official Dahane Beida, a decision Cameroon’s federation reportedly learned about through social media.

CAF also raised eyebrows by appointing the same VAR assessor, Congolese official Rene Daniel Louzaya, for Morocco’s fifth consecutive match. That was an unprecedented move that drew criticism from several football administrators, including Cameroon FA president Samuel Eto’o and Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

As the tournament continues, President Hassan’s comments have positioned Tanzania firmly within a wider continental conversation about fairness, transparency and governance in African football. For the Taifa Stars, Afcon 2025 ends with pride in performance but lingering bitterness over the circumstances of their exit.

For CAF, the challenge remains restoring trust in officiating and ensuring that results are decided on the pitch rather than in controversy off it. .