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Rivalries failing soccer standards
2006-06-03 09:01:51
By Editor
The national football standards will never improve as long as the issue of rivalry amongst local teams is not looked into, seriously.
Much as we appreciate soccer fans giving support to the local teams, hooliganism and unruly behaviour will always cost the development of soccer in the country.
Recently, mainland champions Young Africans (Yanga) received a 1m/- fine from CECAFA because of the unruly behaviour exhibited by their fans.
The rivalry that has been going on in the Vodacom Premier League which is the base of the national football is obviously unhealthy.
In the just ended Kagame Cup, the situation was so bad that Simba fans were busy giving support to the visiting team, Police of Uganda, instead of hosts Moro United in the final match of the regional tournament.
We appreciate the fact that these teams are in the premier league for competition, but we do not agree that they have to be against each other especially when it comes to the international tournament.
The fact that Simba, the best and veteran teams in the premier league, suffered that humiliating loss at the hands of Moro United in the Kagame Cup quarter final, should not be reason for the team to wish their local rivals failure in the final match.
Yanga on the other hand had to show their delight at Simba’s loss to Moro United at all costs.
Yanga fan was captured lifting the player who scored a winner for Moro United in their quarterfinal match against Simba.
We, therefore, feel that the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) should move in and instill strict penalties to such kind of unruly behaviour done by both soccer fans and club officials.
If teams are penalized for the rowdiness of the supporters, players or officials they would be forced to discipline themselves so as to avoid such cases.
It is from the local league that the national team is selected and players from these rival teams will be meant to play as a team.
However, it is important that they develop some social contact even as they compete at league level so as to have a strong and united squad for the national side.
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