Dar es Salaam. Azam FC owner Jamal Bakhresa has launched a scathing attack on the governance of Tanzanian football, accusing the country’s football authorities of bias, poor officiating and favouritism, and warning that he is prepared to withdraw his club from the Mainland Premier League if conditions do not improve.
Bakhresa made the remarks following Azam FC’s 1-0 defeat to Simba in the CRDB Federation Cup final on July 4, a match decided by an own goal. The final was also marked by controversy after Azam midfielder Feisal Salum was sent off. In protest, Azam players declined to receive their runners-up medals or speak to the media after the match.
“Football should be governed by fairness and respect for the rules, but our game is losing its direction because there is no justice,” Bakhresa said. “The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) is damaging Tanzanian football through poor administration, favouritism and biased officiating. Our referees have become the biggest problem facing the game.”
The businessman argued that Tanzanian football has become increasingly divided by perceptions that football authorities favour certain clubs, with many stakeholders accusing the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) of favouring the country’s traditional giants, Simba and Young Africans (Yanga).
He added that such concerns were far less pronounced during earlier administrations, including that of former TFF president Reginald Tenga.
He further claimed that poor governance had discouraged major corporate sponsors from investing in clubs despite the country’s growing football market.
“Tanzania has football talent and football is part of our culture, but we have not had leaders capable of managing the game impartially,” he said. “Every football leader comes with allegiance to a particular club. That is why it will take a long time for our football to progress.”
Bakhresa also criticised the standard of refereeing, noting that Tanzanian officials have struggled to secure appointments at major continental and international tournaments.
“Look at the referees selected for the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup. We are being overtaken by Kenya, Uganda and other East African countries because our refereeing standards remain poor,” he said.
In his strongest remarks, Bakhresa warned that he would no longer tolerate what he described as unfair treatment by referees and football administrators.
“I am the owner of Azam FC and I will not accept being victimised by TFF referees and the League Board,” he said. “If this continues next season, I will take whatever action is necessary to defend my club. TFF can expel me from the league if they wish. I am even prepared to join the Zanzibar league.”
Founded in 2004 and based in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam, Azam FC has established itself as one of Tanzania’s leading professional clubs. The club won its first Mainland Premier League title in the 2013/14 season without losing a match and has become a regular participant in CAF inter-club competitions, reaching the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup last season.
Bakhresa’s criticism comes at a time when Simba and Yanga have maintained a firm grip on Tanzanian football, dominating the Mainland Premier League for more than a decade despite growing investment by rival clubs.
The comments are particularly notable given that Azam Media, owned by the Bakhresa Group, remains one of the country’s largest investors in football through its broadcasting of the Premier League and production of digital content for top clubs.
The Tanzania Football Federation had not responded to Bakhresa’s allegations at the time of publication.