Mwaikimba Criticizes Lack of Flair in Premier League

Mwaikimba Critiques Decline in Player Flair in Tanzanian Premier League

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Former Yanga and Azam FC striker, Gaudence Mwaikimba, has voiced his concerns over what he perceives as a diminishing presence of natural talent in the Tanzanian Premier League, despite an evident rise in investment across the competition.

Speaking candidly, Mwaikimba argued that the league has become increasingly dominated by tactical approaches and rigid coaching instructions, which he believes suppress players’ innate flair and creative instincts.

“Players possess immense potential, but what we witness on the pitch are structured directives from coaches. In essence, it's the coaches playing the game more than the players,” he said.

Highlighting this shift, Mwaikimba noted that even though Simba’s Jean Charles Ahoua currently leads the scoring chart with 12 goals by round 23, previous seasons would have seen forwards like John Bocco or Kipre Tchetche scoring 17 to 18 goals by this stage — an indicator, he says, of how players once thrived when allowed to express their abilities more freely.

He reminisced about some of the top talents that graced the league prior to 2016, citing the likes of Bocco and Boniface Ambani among strikers, and midfielders such as Athuman Idd ‘Chuji’ and the late Godfrey Bonny ‘Ndanje’. According to Mwaikimba, these players not only delivered results but had the ability to single-handedly influence games and drive their teams forward.

Mwaikimba also commented on Singida Black Stars striker Jonathan Sowah, expressing confidence that had he joined the league at the start of the season, his goal tally would be significantly higher than his current seven goals in seven appearances.

Reflecting on his own career, Mwaikimba recalled standout seasons that remain etched in his memory. In the 2005/06 season with Ashanti United, he scored 15 goals, while in 2011/12 with Kagera Sugar, he netted 14 times — finishing second top scorer in both campaigns.

“Those seasons were very memorable for me, finishing second in the top scorers' list on both occasions,” said Mwaikimba, who now manages New Fighters, a Third Division League team based in Ipinda, Mbeya region.

Last season, New Fighters reached the regional finals but were defeated by Tukuyu Stars. This season, they made it to the semi-finals before bowing out of the competition.