Category: The Citizen

Yaounde. Cameroonian President Paul Biya is running for an eighth term on Sunday that could keep him in office until he is nearly 100, seeking to overcome frustration with his decades-long rule and a spirited challenge from a former government mouthpiece.

Biya took office in 1982 and has held a tight grip on power ever since, doing away with the presidential term limit in 2008 and winning re-election by comfortable margins. His government has denied claims of ballot stuffing and manipulating the courts to sideline opponents.

Maurice Kamto, Biya’s top challenger in the 2018 election, has been disqualified this time and the remaining contenders have failed to rally around a unity candidate, boosting the president’s victory chances. Biya rarely appears in public, fuelling consistent speculation that he is in poor health.

The government last year banned public discussion of the topic. He has attended one campaign rally this year, on Tuesday in the northern city of Maroua, where he thanked people for their support “despite the false omens, the slander, the fabrications”.

He acknowledged complaints about basic services like roads and electricity in the cocoa and oil-producing country. “I am well aware of the problems that are of concern to you.

I am aware of the unfulfilled expectations that make you doubt the future,” he said. “I can assure you that these problems are not impossible to overcome.

” FORMER SPOKESPERSON BECOMES CHALLENGER The challenger drawing the biggest crowds is Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson who previously served as employment minister but announced in June that he was defecting. Tchiroma has accused Biya of mismanaging Cameroon’s resource wealth, leaving it dependent on international financial institutions.

“Their failure is everywhere,” he said of the ruling party while campaigning. All Cameroonians are fed up with their management.

” It is unclear whether the energy of Tchiroma’s rallies will translate into votes. In war-hit eastern Congo, nearly 90% of surveyed health facilities were fully out of medicines “One is left with the impression that if this mobilisation is transferred into the ballot box then change is coming,” said Pippie Hugues, a Cameroonian political analyst.

“However, the reverse might be true. We have seen such mobilisation in 2018, and nothing changed.

” Raoul Sumo Tayo, senior researcher with the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies think tank, said Tchiroma might perform well in cities but would struggle in rural areas where the ruling party has a strong turnout operation fuelled by patronage. “The ruling party is likely to be declared the winner of the election,” he said.

“Nevertheless, Tchiroma has demonstrated a strong ability to mobilise support to contest the results.” Twelve candidates are running in the election, and Cameroon does not hold run-offs, meaning the top vote-getter on Sunday wins .

She would go on to become a legendary anthropologist and conservationist. She was an advocate for animals–what she referred to as sentient beings.

Her groundbreaking research into the lives of chimpanzees opened the world to a new understanding and empathy towards the wild ecosystem she studied and protected for more than 60 years. She travelled widely, visiting research centres and zoos around the world, calling for the humane treatment of man’s closest relatives.

It all began at Gombe National Park, years before Tanzania gained independence. A 26-year-old British woman chose the unknown jungles as her home.

The British colonial administration in Nairobi was alarmed that one of their young female citizens had chosen an African wilderness as her habitat. Her mother later joined her in Tanzania to calm everyone’s nerves.

With her calm and observant nature, she began to study the primates of Gombe National Park, located along the north-eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. The mountainous region is now popular with trekkers who come for its steep valleys, waterfalls, and primate population.

It is Tanzania’s smallest national park but one of the most famous. For 65 years, it has been in the global spotlight since Dr Jane Goodall first set foot on its montane forest reserve.

It was in this very forest that she observed a chimpanzee using a stick, after stripping off its leaves, to catch termites. It was the first recorded instance of an animal other than humans using tools.

She reported this remarkable discovery to Dr Louis Leakey. That marked the opening of a window into the world of primates.

She ventured into a male-dominated field and knew she would have to step on toes, navigate egos, and confront the sexualisation she faced as a woman scientist in the 1960s. She recalled how, during a photoshoot only a few years after settling in Tanzania, a National Geographic photographer focused more on her legs in khaki shorts than on her message about chimpanzee conservation.

Despite such moments, she would later use her fame to raise funds for chimpanzee protection and to amplify her voice for conservation worldwide. Gombe National Park is today a thriving tourism hub.

Accommodation facilities have expanded to serve the growing number of visitors drawn to the reserve. From morning boat rides on Lake Tanganyika to treks through the forest in search of chimpanzees and other primates, visitors describe the experience as unforgettable.

The park’s guides also earn glowing reviews. Though Gombe is known mainly for its chimpanzees, it is also home to baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and colobus monkeys.

The guides are eager to help visitors spot each species during their treks. The long walks are well rewarded.

As the day ends, Gombe offers one of the most stunning sunset views over Lake Tanganyika. The surrounding lodges are impressive, offering spacious rooms and a blend of Tanzanian and international cuisine.

The park also hosts the Gombe Stream Research Centre, operated by the Jane Goodall Institute at Kasekera village. The facility focuses on chimpanzee behavioural studies, long-term ecological research, and population monitoring.

Once an endangered species, the chimpanzee is now among the most studied and closely observed primates in Tanzania. The centre also works with neighbouring communities on conservation outreach programmes.

Jane would spend hours walking alone in the forest, keeping her distance from human contact. She watched the primates closely, studying their way of life and behaviour.

She would later say that observing how chimpanzee mothers cared for their young taught her valuable lessons in raising her own child, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick. Her son grew up in the same wild environment where his mother worked.

Dr Goodall ensured that he was always safe and cared for. Motherhood never slowed her commitment to protecting the primates she had dedicated her life to.

During the AIDS pandemic, when the world was struggling with the virus and scientists were using primates for research, Dr Goodall still travelled to research centres. She advocated for humane treatment of the animals–larger cages, enrichment toys, and more social time among them.

Her approach was unconventional. As she aged, she adapted her advocacy.

She appeared on television and podcasts to reach younger audiences. At 91, she became the oldest-ever guest on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy.

She was relentless, and age never slowed her down. In her final days, she was in California for a speaking engagement.

She had recently co-produced a film titled Howl with Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, a fellow environmental and climate activist. Her tireless work as a conservationist helped raise Gombe National Park’s profile on the global stage.

From early visits by Dr Louis Leakey to media and film crews eager to tell her story, all travelled to this remote area. National Geographic was among the first to visit.

Their filmmaker, Hugo van Lawick, would later become Goodall’s husband. The couple shared ten years of marriage and a deep passion for wildlife.

Over the years, other global figures have followed. The humanitarian and actress Angelina Jolie visited Gombe, sharing similar conservation interests.

So did Oprah Winfrey, the American billionaire philanthropist. Several United Nations officials have also toured the park to observe its conservation and development initiatives.

Gombe National Park has firmly established itself as the birthplace of modern chimpanzee research. Since 1960, when the young British researcher began her work there, it has hosted the longest continuous field study of wild animals in history.

The data collected over the past six decades is unmatched. Breakthrough discoveries about tool use, hunting patterns, and social hierarchies among chimpanzee communities have challenged earlier assumptions about humanity’s closest relatives.

Visitors to Gombe National Park enjoy a unique experience. Unlike in open savannah parks, here they can observe wild chimpanzees up close under the watchful guidance of park rangers.

The chimps are habituated to human presence after decades of contact. They rarely show aggression towards visitors.

Access to the park is by boat or dhow from Kigoma, as there are no roads leading directly to the reserve. The isolation adds to its sense of mystery and adventure.

Trekkers often describe the journey as part of the park’s charm. Gombe has become a symbol of conservation, humanity, empathy, and coexistence.

It embodies the principle that all species sharing this planet must learn to live in harmony. Dr Jane Goodall championed this belief with quiet but firm persuasion, urging world leaders to care.

She will be remembered not only as an anthropologist and primatologist but also as a human rights and environmental activist. Her influence extended into the realm of community empowerment.

In the 1980s, she began addressing the challenges facing villagers around Gombe. Poverty and deforestation were widespread.

She realised that for conservation to succeed, the people living near the primate reserve had to be empowered and actively involved. Her institute initiated community-based projects that improved livelihoods while reducing pressure on forest resources.

These efforts bridged the gap between humans and wildlife, demonstrating that conservation and development can coexist. Today, Gombe National Park remains a living testament to her life’s work.

Its forests echo with the calls of chimpanzees that generations of scientists have studied. Each rustle of leaves and each distant cry serves as a reminder of the woman who changed the world’s view of nature.

Dr Jane Goodall’s legacy endures–not only in the scientific data she collected but in the compassion she inspired. Her work continues to guide conservationists, reminding humanity that the fate of the wild is inseparable from our own.

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Juba. South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has removed the country’s military chief and reinstated his predecessor whom Kiir had sacked three months earlier, state-run television announced.

The moves add to relentless turnover within the ranks of South Sudan’s military and government as Kiir contends with armed conflict and speculation within the country about his eventual succession. Kiir, 74, has led a transitional government in the impoverished and fractured nation since independence from Sudan in 2011. Scheduled elections have twice been postponed and First Vice President Riek Machar, Kiir’s main rival during a 2013-2018 civil war, was charged last The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation announced late on Wednesday that Kiir had appointed Paul Nang Majok to replace Dau Aturjong as the new Chief of Defence Forces, without providing a reason for the decision.

Aturjong was reassigned to be a technical adviser at the defence ministry. In July, Kiir had, without explanation, sacked Majok after seven months in the post and replaced him with Aturjong.

That decision came after renewed fighting in the northeast in which the military was briefly overrun by a militia from Machar’s Nuer ethnic group. The government placed Machar under house arrest in March, accusing him of supporting the militia, and he went on trial for treason, murder and crimes against humanity last month.

Machar has denied the allegations. His detention reignited fears of a return to full-blown civil war, with his supporters accusing the government of violating a 2018 peace and power-sharing agreement.

Analysts say that Kiir’s repeated shake-ups of the government and security apparatus are aimed at consolidating his hold on power and keeping various factions satisfied. U.

N. investigators last month accused South Sudanese leaders of “systematic looting” of the nation’s wealth for their personal gain .

Dar es Salaam. After impressing at the Tanzania Vodacom Open, Tanzania’s leading female golfer, Madina Idd, has turned her focus to representing the country at the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, scheduled from October 13 to 15, 2025, at the prestigious Royal Nairobi Golf Club in Kenya.

The high-profile tournament, part of the Sunshine Development Tour, will bring together elite golfers from across the region for three days of intense competition. Registration for the event opened on September 22 and closes on October 6, with players expected to register via golfplus.

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The East Africa Swing is a key stage in the Sunshine Development Tour calendar, offering golfers the chance to gain ranking points, sharpen their skills, and compete on a professional platform that feeds into one of Africa’s premier golf circuits. Madina, who has consistently been Tanzania’s top female golfer, expressed excitement about the upcoming tournament.

“It’s always an honor to represent Tanzania in international tournaments,” she said. “Events like the East Africa Swing help us test our game against top players while also strengthening regional golf ties.

I’m looking forward to giving my best performance in Nairobi.” Over the years, Madina has helped elevate the profile of women’s golf in Tanzania through outstanding performances at events such as the Tanzania Ladies Open, the Geita Open, and the EAC Ladies Challenge Trophy.

Her participation in the Sunshine Development Tour highlights the growing recognition of Tanzanian golfers on the continental stage. The Royal Nairobi Golf Club, one of East Africa’s oldest and most scenic courses, will host the tournament.

Known for its lush fairways and challenging layout, the venue promises an exciting contest as top male and female professionals compete for honors and ranking points. .

Alabuga Start international program is becoming increasingly popular among young people in our country. This initiative offers young women aged 18 to 22 the chance to move to Russia and start building their careers in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone.

The program description is certainly appealing, but only someone who has actually participated in Alabuga Start can truly describe what relocating to Alabuga is like. Redemptor Cathy spoke exclusively to The Citizen about the challenges of adapting to life in Russia, learning a new language and culture, and discovering the quirks of the local cuisine.

“EARNING, LEARNING, AND GROWING ABROAD — MY STORY WITH ALABUGA START” My name is Redemptor Cathy, I’m 23 years old and I’m from Uganda. I’ve always been curious about how people live in other countries.

I’ve dreamed of making decent money to travel the world someday. But with the average salary in Uganda being about $220 a month, it’s hard to imagine being able to afford a big trip like that.

The opportunity actually found me — I came across the international Alabuga Start program, which advertised a monthly salary of $541. At first, I found it hard to believe that such salaries were real, but after chatting with other participants in a group chat and talking with my HR representative, they convinced me it was true. That’s when I decided to give Catering a try through the program.

I started my career as a kitchen worker at Shokoladnitsa Cafe, where I helped with food preparation, learned to cook Russian dishes, and got to know the menu. After six months, I was promoted to waitress and received a pay raise.

By then, I was already mentoring a new Alabuga Start participant from Nigeria, who had just begun her journey in the Catering field. “RUSSIA’S WINTERS? BREATHTAKING NATURE, THRILLING SPORTS IT’S ALL HERE” I first heard about the Alabuga Start program from my friends, who saw advertisements for it on social media.

I decided to give it a try, so I applied on the website and immediately began learning 100 Russian words from the provided list, since that was required to participate. Not long after, Alabuga’s HR specialists got in touch with me and answered all my questions about the program.

Interestingly, another mandatory step before the Alabuga Start HR interview involved completing a namesake computer game. As my HR supervisor later explained, this business simulation is a proprietary tool developed by the Alabuga SEZ to assess three-dimensional and logical reasoning skills.

Once all my documents were gathered, my medical exam was finished, and I received my visa, Alabuga bought my tickets to Russia. When I first stepped outside in Kazan (the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan), I was amazed I had never seen snow before in Uganda.

Winter in Tatarstan is truly beautiful, and the region offers just as many wonderful winter sports. Last year, I learned to skate and ski for the first time, and this winter, my friends and I joined the biggest snowball fight with the students of Alabuga Polytech.

“THE MORE YOU LEARN, THE HIGHER YOU RISE” It was difficult to get used to new dishes, I had never tried Russian cuisine before. My first encounter with traditional Russian borscht is quite a tale in itself.

I remember being fascinated by this unique dish These days I’ve mastered cooking it myself, and not just borscht – I’ve also learned to make manti, ochpochmak, and rassolnik soup. They’re all classics from both Russian and Tatar culinary traditions.

Of course, the challenges weren’t just about getting used to local ingredients — the cultural differences and language barrier were tough too. At first, Russian felt impossible: everyone spoke so quickly, I struggled to express myself, and I relied on a translator constantly.

That frustration actually pushed me to work harder in my Russian lessons with our teacher Yoanna. Now, I can chat comfortably with native speakers.

My colleagues at Alabuga have been great too — whenever I ask them to practice, they’re happy to help. It’s a win-win: they improve their English while I work on my Russian.

I’m continuing to improve my Russian while also starting to learn Chinese. My friends often ask how I managed to climb the career ladder so quickly.

Honestly, there’s no big secret. It really comes down to working hard, taking your responsibilities seriously, and never skipping those Russian language lessons.

In our line of work, it’s crucial not just to understand Russian well, but to speak it fluently and accurately. I’m definitely not going to stop there.

Now I am 23 years old, I have been working at the Shokoladnitsa Cafe for more than a year, I managed to get my first promotion, I earn more than $800 a month and help my parents. Very soon, a friend from Uganda will fly to me to become a part of Alabuga Start.

If you have any questions about moving to Russia, living there, or about Alabuga Start, feel free to ask in the comments — I’m happy to help with anything you want to know. .

It’s that time of year again. The day we mark the passing of Tanzania’s founding father, Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

Twenty-six years now. I remember the day he died vividly.

I was a high-school student at Ilboru. We were all assembled, told the news, and given the rest of the day off.

I went to my dormitory, pulled the blanket over my head, and cried. I’m not entirely sure what to make of those tears now.

Maybe it was grief, maybe it was the weight of losing a national symbol. But I was a product of my time.

And Nyerere was a giant. I still think he is.

In a line-up of shockingly average leaders who followed him, he was a towering intellect. Nyerere wasn’t just a politician; he was a philosopher-king.

He translated Shakespeare into Kiswahili, debated world leaders on their own terms, and articulated a unique African vision with a clarity that still resonates. He was also a genuine patriot–not just in words, but in action.

He voluntarily stepped down from power, something unheard of in post-colonial Africa. He championed Kiswahili as a unifying national language, turning it into a tool of inclusion.

And he famously lived modestly even as president. But this year, I find myself wishing Nyerere was still here.

I would have moved heaven and earth to get an audience with him, to sit down and ask: “Mzee, what do you think of the Tanzania you founded?” Because honestly, the nation feels unwell. It’s in pain–stifled, stagnant, and socially fragmented.

We desperately need a leader of Nyerere’s moral gravity and intellect to help steer us through this. And yet, we must also confront an uncomfortable truth: It was his weaknesses, his specific failures as a leader that paved the road to our current predicament.

Take his rigid subscription to ideology. Nyerere embraced leftist doctrines with near-religious fervour.

He wasn’t just a socialist; he was a subscriber to every idealistic notion that leftist intellectuals propagated in the 60s and 70s. He took the ujamaa ideal and forced an entire economy into that mould, vilifying the very concept of individual profit as greed.

We never learned pragmatism. So, while our counterparts were asking, “What policy will make our people richer and our nation stronger?” we were asking, “Is this policy ideologically pure?” Even now, we are still stuck with practices that don’t make the country work.

Then there’s Nyerere’s complex relationship with democracy. On one hand, he was a man of the people: he lived and listened to them.

On the other hand, he was the man who decided for the people. He banned opposition parties in 1965, creating a one-party state under the guise of national unity.

He muzzled the alternative press. He didn’t open the nation up to political pluralism until he was well out of power, leaving a system already rigged for the incumbents.

If I had to boil it all down, Nyerere’s fundamental flaw was his misunderstanding of human nature. He was an idealist: he believed that if you put people in an ujamaa village, they would work hard for the collective good.

He believed that if you appointed leaders, they would use their powers for the benefit of all. He created a system where the key to power wasn’t competence or accountability, but the ability to pay lip service to his ideals.

But the ujamaa villages became sites of coercion, not cooperation. And the people who were singing “ujamaa” with him seamlessly transitioned into capitalists.

This is the tragic fallacy of Utopian leftism–they believe people are inherently good and will act with good intentions. But consider Pol Pot’s Cambodia, where the pursuit of an agrarian communist utopia led to the killing fields.

Stalin’s Russia, Mao’s China, and the ongoing struggles in Cuba and North Korea. Over 100 million people died because of systems built on such “good intentions.

” Nyerere himself was aware of the danger. He once said, “The constitution gives the president so much power that if I chose to be a dictator, I could.

” But he never reformed the constitution to limit those powers. He trusted future leaders to be as virtuous as he imagined himself to be.

What a fatal mistake. Human beings aren’t good people: there is wickedness in our hearts.

If you don’t set effective checks and balances, people will use their power to make fellow citizens subjects. People will weaponise their positions, their tribes, their religions, or their races against others.

We’ve all seen it, haven’t we? Today, as nations debate governance models–Western liberal democracy versus China’s authoritarian capitalism–I say this: follow the path proven to provide long-term stability and dignity. If a path suppresses people’s political, individual, economic, and social rights, it is a dead end.

Research and history are unequivocal on this. Without the bedrock of democracy and accountable institutions, the buildings we erect are merely houses of cards.

Nyerere should have known that. And maybe, if he were here today, he’d admit it.

Charles Makakala is a Technology and Management Consultant based in Dar es Salaam .

Dar es Salaam. The government has applauded the world football governing body, FIFA, for appointing three prominent Tanzanian football leaders to key international positions, describing the decision as a reflection of the nation’s growing stature in global football governance.

FIFA has confirmed the appointments of Wallace Karia, Hersi Said, and Neema Haji to serve in various international committees, a move that has been widely celebrated across Tanzania’s sporting fraternity. Karia, who serves as President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and a CAF Executive Committee Member, has been named FIFA’s Beach Soccer Vice Chairman.

Hersi, who is the President of the African Club Association (ACA) and Chairman of Young Africans SC, joins FIFA’s Club Competition Committee, while Neema Haji joins the FIFA Women’s Competitions Committee, in recognition of her significant contributions to the growth of women’s football in Tanzania. Speaking yesterday, Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, described the appointments as a proud moment for Tanzania and a testament to the country’s growing recognition in international sports administration.

Msigwa said the trio’s inclusion in FIFA structures demonstrates global confidence in Tanzanian leadership, professionalism, and football development. “This is a huge achievement, not just for the individuals appointed, but for the entire nation,” said Msigwa.

“FIFA’s trust in our leaders, Karia, Hersi, and Neema, proves that Tanzania is now firmly on the world football map. Their appointments show that our efforts to strengthen sports governance and professionalism are bearing fruit.

” Msigwa commended the TFF and its leadership for their consistent work in transforming football management in the country. He said the government will continue supporting initiatives that enhance transparency, youth development, and international collaboration in sports.

“President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has placed sports at the center of national pride and diplomacy. We believe these appointments will open new doors for cooperation with FIFA and CAF, creating more opportunities for our players, coaches, and administrators,” he added.

The government spokesperson also lauded Engineer Hersi for his contribution to club football, noting his success in elevating Young Africans (Yanga) to continental prominence. Similarly, he praised Karia for his leadership at TFF and within CAF, and Neema for championing women’s football growth in Tanzania.

“Each of them has worked tirelessly to elevate Tanzanian football. Karia’s experience in governance, Hersi’s success in club management, and Neema’s expertise in women’s football make them excellent ambassadors for our nation,” said Msigwa.

He further urged the newly appointed officials to use their positions to promote Tanzanian talent and advocate for greater investment in African football. The appointments come at a time when Tanzania’s football profile continues to rise, following the national team’s competitive outings in continental tournaments and local clubs’ improved performances in CAF competitions.

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Dar es Salaam. Vodacom Tanzania has unveiled its newest branch at the recently opened East Africa Commercial and Logistics Centre (EACLC) in Ubungo, featuring a dedicated service desk designed to cater for customers with disabilities.

Speaking during the launch, Vodacom Tanzania Chief Executive, Officer Philip Besiimire, said the new branch reflects the company’s continued commitment to inclusion as it marks 25 years of operations in the country. “As we commemorate 25 years of connecting and empowering our customers, we are proud to reinforce our inclusion agenda through the expansion of our customer support footprint and the launch of another service desk for people with disabilities,” said Mr Besiimire.

Vodacom’s Consumer Business Unit Director, Ms Brigita Shirima, highlighted that the company’s inclusion efforts are evident through a range of initiatives designed to accommodate customers with diverse needs. “From dedicated sign language interpreters and WhatsApp video call support for deaf customers, priority handling for registered blind customers, to wheelchair-accessible ramps and now accessible service tables designed for customers using wheelchairs these efforts reflect our commitment to ensuring that every customer is served with respect, care, and convenience,” she said.

Head of Customer Experience and Digital Care, Ms Belinda Wera, said the company has lined up several activities to celebrate the week, including recognising customers, partners across the M-Pesa ecosystem, and staff members. “This week we will be recognising and celebrating not just our customers but also our partners and teams that work tirelessly to serve them day and night.

Recognising that we do not exist in isolation, we will also engage in community activities as a way of thanking Tanzanians for their continued support over the years,” said Ms Wera. Through digital platforms such as VodaTube and its digital care channels, the company continues to promote digital literacy and financial education, empowering customers to make informed choices and fully benefit from mobile technology.

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Dar es Salaam. JKT Queens players have dominated the national women’s football team, Twiga Stars, squad that is preparing for two crucial qualification matches for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) against Ethiopia later this month.

The heavy representation reflects JKT’s growing influence in women’s football following their impressive performances in domestic competitions. Out of the 25 players named by head coach Bakari Shime, 12 are from JKT Tanzania, the highest contribution from any single club.

They are followed by Simba Queens, who have three players called up to the national side. The balance of the squad showcases a mix of both home-based and foreign-based stars who bring a blend of youth, experience, and international exposure to the team.

The squad will be captained by Opa Clement, who plays for Eibar in Spain’s top women’s league. Her leadership and experience are expected to be key as Twiga Stars aim to secure qualification for the continental showpiece.

The team also features several rising stars from the national U-20 side, Tanzanite Queens, who recently eliminated Angola in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Their inclusion marks a significant step in integrating young talent into the senior setup, ensuring continuity and long-term development for Tanzanian women’s football.

Midfielder Diana Lucas, who has been in outstanding form and currently plays professionally in Turkey for Trabzonspor, retains her spot in the team. She will be joined by Mexico-based duo Enekia Kasonga and Julitha Singano of FC Juarez, both of whom add valuable international experience and creativity to the squad.

Other foreign-based players include Hasnath Ubamba of Al Masry in Egypt and Noela Luhala, who plays for Asa Tel Aviv in Israel. He 25-player squad also features local stars such as Najat Abbas, Asha Mrisho, Donisia Misnja, Lidya Maximilian, Ester Maseke, Fumukazi Ally, Christer Bahera, Janeth Pangamwene, Elizabeth Chenge, Stumai Abdallah, Jamila Rajab, and Winifrida Gerald from JKT Tanzania.

From Simba Queens, the selected players are Asha Ramadhan, Fatuma Issa, and Aisha Mnunka. Others in the team include Maimuna Kaimu from Yanga Princess, Nusrat Jaffar from Alliance Girls, and Suzan Adam from Tausi Queens.

Twiga Stars will host Ethiopia on October 22, 2025, in the first leg of the WAFCON qualifiers before traveling to Addis Ababa for the return leg on October 28, 2025. The aggregate winner over the two matches will earn a spot in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, which will be held in Morocco next year and feature 16 of the continent’s best women’s national teams. .

Dar es Salaam. DB Lioness head coach, Mohammed Mchenga, has described their second consecutive Dar es Salaam Women’s Basketball League (WBDL) title as a hard-fought achievement.

Guiding BD Lioness through 22 league matches, Mchenga recorded 19 wins and three losses, leading the team to retain the championship. Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, he noted that this season’s league was far more competitive compared to the previous one, largely driven by the lucrative prize packages offered by betting firm betPawa and Vodacom Tanzania.

Mchenga explained that betPawa provided Sh88, 750 through the “Locker Room Bonus” to each of the 12 players and four team officials. In total, based on their performance and number of victories, DB Lioness collected approximately Sh27 million from the betting firm alone.

Vodacom Tanzania further incentivized competition by setting aside Sh10 million for the title winner. “All this prize money encouraged all teams to fight harder, making the league extremely competitive.

I commend my players for their fighting spirit, they fully deserved to win the title,” said Mchenga. DB Lioness sealed their championship in emphatic fashion by recording a 3-0 sweep over JKT Stars in the final series.

The team’s dominance throughout the season was marked by consistent performances, strategic gameplay, and exceptional teamwork. Mchenga emphasized that the combination of rigorous training, strong team cohesion, and the motivation provided by the financial rewards contributed significantly to their success.

He also highlighted the growing professionalism in the league, noting that more clubs are now investing in better training facilities and player development programs. With back-to-back titles, DB Lioness have solidified their status as a powerhouse in Dar es Salaam women’s basketball.

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