Sitting in that open-top bus during the Young Africans trophy parade last month, countless times I caught a glimpse of the Kaizer Chiefs jersey in the crowd.
This was in far-flung Dar es Salaam – some 3577 KM from Johannesburg. Football, after all, knows no borders. The first sighting of an Amakhosi jersey was surprising.
Of course, I knew there were Chiefs fans in Dar es Salaam, but this was a Yanga trophy parade.
I can only imagine what it would mean to Chiefs fans in Dar to see their beloved Amakhosi take on Timu ya Wananchi on home soil.
Possibly, the same feeling I had when Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United descended on our shores.
Perchance, some of these Dar Chiefs fans are also Yanga SC fans and will get to watch two of their beloved clubs in action.
As the two giants gear up for the new 2023/24 season, they are set to slug it out in Dar.
Amakhosi play Tanzania’s reigning champions, Young Africans, in an international pre-season friendly on July 22, 2023.
The match will be played at Yanga’s fortress – the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The fixture will be this year’s highlight of the fifth edition of Wiki ya Mwananchi.
WHAT IS WIKI YA MWANANCHI?
Wiki ya Mwananchi, loosely translated, means ‘week of the citizens’ in reference to Yanga’s multitude of fans.
Salum Pelembo, a Magic FM and Channel 10 sports analyst, explained the Wiki ya Mwananchi concept.
“It’s an eventful week that Yanga introduced to their fans for announcing new players, jerseys and playing a friendly match as the club’s opening ceremony for the season,” ‘King Salu’ told FARPost.
“It’s a special week packed with different events that mainly include CSR activities [giving back to the community].
“Fans do fundraising, cleaning hospitals and recreation parks, donating to public hospitals and schools, blood donations, etc.
“This is a nationwide campaign done in the same week but in different regions by Yanga fans.
“After that, Yanga Day marks the end of the Wiki ya Mwananchi with a friendly game preceded by different entertainment activities, including music shows.
“Players who will represent the club during the season are introduced to the fans by special announcements.
“New Jersey sales are also promoted heading to this week. Every fan wants to get into the pitch with a new jersey, so sales are boosted on the week.”
Yanga president Hersi Ally Said has previously revealed to FARPost that the club can sell up 300 000 jerseys on a good day.
WHY THE KAIZER CHIEFS-YANGA DATE?
The clash against one of the most successful clubs in South African football will likely be the biggest since the inception of Wiki ya Mwananchi five years ago.
King Salu believes the match could attract up to 60 000 fans on the day.
“Dar es Salaam has 7 million people, so filling a 60 000-seater stadium won’t be an issue. I feel Chiefs would be the first big team to come to these teams’ festivals,” added King Salu.
Hersi adds: “There’s a lot of Kaizer Chiefs fans in Tanzania, and they will be excited to come and watch their team.”
Chiefs are arguably the most famous club in South Africa, with a large and passionate fan base.
Young Africans are one of the most successful clubs in Tanzanian football, having won the league title 29 times. They are also the most popular club in the East African country, with a massive fan base.
The match between Kaizer Chiefs and Young Africans will surely be a closely contested affair. Both teams will be looking to use the match as a warm-up for their respective domestic seasons.
Interestingly, the two giants of African football have new men at the helm.
BOTH TEAMS HAVE NEW COACHES
Chiefs are under former Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki, who recently took over from Arthur Zwane after an underwhelming 2022/23 season.
On the other hand, Yanga have Miguel Gamondi, formerly with Mamelodi Sundowns. Gamondi replaced Mohamed Nasreddine Nabi, who was ironically tipped to take over the Chiefs job after his Yanga exit.
“Hosting Kaizer Chiefs in Dar es Salaam is an absolute honour. We’ve ensured we have one of the elite referees in the country to ensure fair play is observed.
“We believe this game will be an opportunity for both clubs to gauge their readiness for the 2023/2024 season,” Hersi said.
Both teams will be looking to test the new signings.
Ranga Chivaviro, Pule Mmodi, Mduduzi Mdantsane, Given Msimango, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Edson Castillo and Tebogo Potsane are the latest arrivals at Chiefs.
The Jangwani giants have only announced the arrival of Ugandan defender Gift Fred. They look set to do more business in the transfer market as they prepare to defend the three titles they won last season.
The tie against the South African giants will also be helpful to gain some valuable experience ahead of their CAF Champions League campaign.
YOUNG AFRICANS PREVIOUS WIKI YA WANANCHI OPPONENTS
Vipers, Uganda [Fourth Edition]
Zanaco, Zambia [Third Edition]
Aigle Noir, Burundi [Second Edition]
Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya [First Edition]
Exactly a week after the Yanga tie, Chiefs will visit Gaborone United in Botswana for another international friendly match.
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