Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga), Tanzania’s reigning football champions with four consecutive Premier League titles, have faced a storm of criticism after announcing a Tsh 100 million donation to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party during a fundraising dinner ahead of the upcoming general election.
The controversy erupted on August 12, 2025, when club president Hersi Said, who also works for Yanga’s main sponsor, GSM Group presented Tsh 10 billion on behalf of GSM at the event, attended by GSM president Ghalib Said Mohamed. Hersi then announced that Yanga SC itself would contribute Tsh 100 million to CCM, a move that immediately drew backlash from supporters and opposition figures.
Fans accused the leadership of compromising the club’s political neutrality, pointing out that Yanga’s supporters span multiple political affiliations.
“You encourage fans to pay membership fees, then the leadership takes the money and gives it to their party,” said volunteer Malafyale. Another fan, Hancy Machemba, wrote on X, “Not all Yanga fans are CCM supporters. If you must donate, give to all parties to keep it fair.”
The announcement sparked debate over whether such a donation could breach FIFA regulations, with some supporters reportedly writing to the FIFA Ethics Committee.
Sports analyst Michael Mwebe called it “a grey area,” saying the optics were damaging even if it was not a clear violation of the statutes.
Opposition politicians also condemned the move. Former MP, activist, Hip Hop legend in East Africa and opposition politician Joseph Mbilinyi, a Yanga supporter, said: “Our president can contribute as an individual, not in our name.”
In apparent defense, Yanga spokesperson Ally Kamwe shared a historic photo of the club donating to the former Tanzania mainland ruling party (TANU) during the one-party era, claiming Yanga had long played a role in Tanzania’s political and social development.
However, amid mounting criticism, the club issued an official apology and clarification on August 14. In a statement signed by CEO Andre Mtine, Yanga said the Tsh 100 million donation did not come from members’ funds or the club’s budget but from the GSM Foundation, led by club patron and sponsor Ghalib Said Mohamed.
“The leadership of Young Africans Sports Club would like to apologize to members, fans, and football lovers for any inconvenience caused by this misunderstanding,” the statement read. It added that the GSM Foundation has collaborated with Yanga for three years to support communities within and outside Tanzania.
The apology has done little to end the heated debate, with critics still questioning why Hersi’s remarks at the fundraiser repeatedly suggested the money was from the club itself. The episode has reignited wider discussions about the intersection of football, politics, and sponsorship in Tanzanian sport.
