Are Kenyan football teams uplifting Tanzanian league with pre-season camps?

© Azam FC

FOOTBALL Are Kenyan football teams uplifting Tanzanian league with pre-season camps?

Festus Chuma 07:40 - 08.08.2023

Exploring the impact of Kenyan football clubs' preparations in Tanzania and its influence on the local league's growth.

Over the past two weeks, football enthusiasts in East Africa have witnessed a unique spectacle that speaks to the growing camaraderie between neighbouring countries. 

Kenya Police FC, Bandari FC, and now Tusker FC have all embarked on an exciting journey to Tanzania for their pre-season friendlies. 

The Tanzanian welcome has been warm, and the matches have not only served as crucial preparation for the upcoming 2023/2024 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) season but also as a platform for footballing exchange and growth in the region. 

With the Tanzania Mainland Premier League proudly ranked as the best in the CECAFA region, the significance of this cross-border collaboration cannot be overlooked.

As teams from both nations lock horns in friendly battles, they are paving the way for East African football to rise, making a bold statement to the continent's football giants that a new force is emerging from the East.

This pre-season football journey to Tanzania has become a pilgrimage of sorts for Kenyan clubs, as their advantage of the neighbouring country's top-notch facilities and challenging opposition, the Kenyan sides have seized the opportunity to fine-tune their skills and tactics ahead of the new season.

Singida Fountain Gate and Namungo FC proved to be formidable adversaries for Kenya Police, while Bandari faced tough battles against Azam FC and Costal Union in Dar es Salaam and Tanga, respectively. 

Now, Tusker FC have also joined the bandwagon, ready to test their mettle against local side Mbuni FC and Burundian outfit Vital’O at the revered Sheikh Amri Abeid Karume Stadium.

In an interview with Pulse Sports, Kennedy Lucas, a seasoned Swahili writer and Tanzanian journalist working for Mwanaspoti, expressed his delight, lauding the Kenyan teams for choosing Tanzania as their pre-season training destination.

"The fact that Kenyan teams are coming to camp in Tanzania for the preparation of their home league means a lot to them and even to us in Tanzania. It contributes to the growth of both leagues as team coaches exchange ideas, despite the fact that our league is ranked higher than the Kenyan one," Lucas said, highlighting the mutual benefits of this cross-border training collaboration.

"In addition, this situation also gives a broader picture of the football of this East African region. It shows that there is a step we are taking to reach a stage where all the member countries of this East African region must raise the standards of football. That will enable us to compete with other regions like West, North, and Central Africa, which have dominated our teams for years," Lucas added, shedding light on the larger significance of this initiative in bridging the gap between East African football and the dominant footballing regions on the continent."

This unique cross-border training experience signifies a growing spirit of camaraderie between the neighboring nations, transcending beyond the realms of football. 

Notably, Tanzania's Mainland Premier League stands tall as the fifth-ranked league on the African continent, only trailing behind football powerhouses like Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Sudan, according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

As the Kenyan teams and their Tanzanian counterparts engage in fierce yet friendly battles on the pitch, the mutual respect and appreciation fostered during these encounters extend far beyond the final whistle.

This footballing brotherhood serves as a symbol of unity and collaboration in East Africa, fostering relationships between fans, players, coaches, and football authorities on both sides of the border.