Lonestriker
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 8, 2010
- 640
- 241
Taifa Stars' defender, Shomari Kapombe transfer is sure to go down as one of the most controversial dealings for many past and future seasons. His overseas trials and eventual transfer to France fourth division side, AS Cannes was shrouded in more mysteries than the Bermuda Triangle.
After one of the shortest overseas spell that would perhaps be better entered as a footnote in his career CV, Kapombe is set to return to the local league.
Despite his imminent move to Azam being said to be a matter of ‘finalizing' little issues, new twists and turns have not ceased. Following the saga feels like travelling through the famous Usambara mountains range.
Last week, a section of the media reported that Azam have resolved out the standing matter of finance for the deal with AS Cannes. It was further announced that Kapombe has signed a three-year deal.
Curiously, Azam who are known to be quick in announcing their signings did not carry out any official statement in any of their media channels. Unsurprisingly to those who have kept their ears on the ground on this transfer, the shenanigans that have been playing out behind the scenes are still going on.
The said official transfer has been hotly denied by the player's agent. Again, this is not surprising given how things have been playing out among the concerned parties right from the start.
Though Kapombe has not publicly uttered a word, it is not an exaggeration to conclude that the initial good relationship he shared with the agent has been soured.
The agent's perceived stance on trying to see him move back to AS Cannes while apparently it is the brooding player's decision to secure a move back to Tanzania has irreparably damaged their relationship. Even more worrying is the apparent fact that Kapombe appears to have completely burned his bridges with the French outfit. It is also clear that his relationship with the French club which he still belongs to despite training with Azam for the past six months has a reached a point of no return, a U-turn is impossible.
While everyone acknowledge Kapombe's right and freedom to insist on joining a club of his choice, looking at his decision through the lense of football, many are really disappointed.
Seen as a hardworking and disciplined versatile player, there was a sense of expectation on him. His attitude both on and off the pitch saw him transcend the Simba-Yanga rivalry. He was genuinely respected and praised by both sides of the Jangwani and Msimbazi divide. When news broke out that he was heading for trials in France, he was spared from the usual vitriol aimed at a player from one side of the Jangwani-Simba divide trying out his luck overseas. He was seen differently but disappointingly he has turned out to be wale wale, yale yale.
It is expected that in the end, the standing issues will be smoothed over and he will end up at Azam. Though the jury is still out on how his career will end, for many it already feels like it would be just another ordinary career.
Frankly speaking, Kapombe is a decent player, however there is nothing exceptional about him to be certain that overseas opportunities would come knocking on his door. This was his lucky break, there are far better players in East Africa who would gladly sell their souls to the devil just to have such a lucky break.
His handling of the issue, particularly refusing to go back to France after the friendly with Zimbabwe is a black mark on his professionalism that only exceptionally gifted youngsters can overcome. Bar a miracle, Kapombe has flushed his chances of an overseas career down the toilet.
He has given more credence to the stereotypes that our players are not ambitious enough, are too comfortable playing for Simba, Yanga, Azam and Taifa Stars. Just when Samatta and Ulimwengu are busy re-writing the stereotypes script, here comes Kapombe and throws us back.
Kapombe uneventful short spell in France should not be trampled as a fact that our players cannot excel outside our borders. We should not read too much into an individual's failure and pass judgment on the society. Leave alone Samatta, Ulimwengu's determination at TP Mazembe goes against the stereotypes we read in the media about our players.
Thomas Ulimwengu, far from being a polished forward is reaching milestone that more gifted local players would never come close to achieving. His 110% determination and hardwork that has helped him force his way into the Mazembe's ferociously competitive first team set up shows our players can function outside the ‘cozy' Bongo environment where players are nursed and spoon fed in camps for the entire duration of the league.
Lastly, to his credit, Kapombe has tried to keep his mouth shut despite being ‘harassed' for exclusive interviews by the sports tabloids eager for juicy stories and an audience who have been treated to expect hearing local players shooting their feet with silly statements.
Source: SokaTanzania
After one of the shortest overseas spell that would perhaps be better entered as a footnote in his career CV, Kapombe is set to return to the local league.
Despite his imminent move to Azam being said to be a matter of ‘finalizing' little issues, new twists and turns have not ceased. Following the saga feels like travelling through the famous Usambara mountains range.
Last week, a section of the media reported that Azam have resolved out the standing matter of finance for the deal with AS Cannes. It was further announced that Kapombe has signed a three-year deal.
Curiously, Azam who are known to be quick in announcing their signings did not carry out any official statement in any of their media channels. Unsurprisingly to those who have kept their ears on the ground on this transfer, the shenanigans that have been playing out behind the scenes are still going on.
The said official transfer has been hotly denied by the player's agent. Again, this is not surprising given how things have been playing out among the concerned parties right from the start.
Though Kapombe has not publicly uttered a word, it is not an exaggeration to conclude that the initial good relationship he shared with the agent has been soured.
The agent's perceived stance on trying to see him move back to AS Cannes while apparently it is the brooding player's decision to secure a move back to Tanzania has irreparably damaged their relationship. Even more worrying is the apparent fact that Kapombe appears to have completely burned his bridges with the French outfit. It is also clear that his relationship with the French club which he still belongs to despite training with Azam for the past six months has a reached a point of no return, a U-turn is impossible.
While everyone acknowledge Kapombe's right and freedom to insist on joining a club of his choice, looking at his decision through the lense of football, many are really disappointed.
Seen as a hardworking and disciplined versatile player, there was a sense of expectation on him. His attitude both on and off the pitch saw him transcend the Simba-Yanga rivalry. He was genuinely respected and praised by both sides of the Jangwani and Msimbazi divide. When news broke out that he was heading for trials in France, he was spared from the usual vitriol aimed at a player from one side of the Jangwani-Simba divide trying out his luck overseas. He was seen differently but disappointingly he has turned out to be wale wale, yale yale.
It is expected that in the end, the standing issues will be smoothed over and he will end up at Azam. Though the jury is still out on how his career will end, for many it already feels like it would be just another ordinary career.
Frankly speaking, Kapombe is a decent player, however there is nothing exceptional about him to be certain that overseas opportunities would come knocking on his door. This was his lucky break, there are far better players in East Africa who would gladly sell their souls to the devil just to have such a lucky break.
His handling of the issue, particularly refusing to go back to France after the friendly with Zimbabwe is a black mark on his professionalism that only exceptionally gifted youngsters can overcome. Bar a miracle, Kapombe has flushed his chances of an overseas career down the toilet.
He has given more credence to the stereotypes that our players are not ambitious enough, are too comfortable playing for Simba, Yanga, Azam and Taifa Stars. Just when Samatta and Ulimwengu are busy re-writing the stereotypes script, here comes Kapombe and throws us back.
Kapombe uneventful short spell in France should not be trampled as a fact that our players cannot excel outside our borders. We should not read too much into an individual's failure and pass judgment on the society. Leave alone Samatta, Ulimwengu's determination at TP Mazembe goes against the stereotypes we read in the media about our players.
Thomas Ulimwengu, far from being a polished forward is reaching milestone that more gifted local players would never come close to achieving. His 110% determination and hardwork that has helped him force his way into the Mazembe's ferociously competitive first team set up shows our players can function outside the ‘cozy' Bongo environment where players are nursed and spoon fed in camps for the entire duration of the league.
Lastly, to his credit, Kapombe has tried to keep his mouth shut despite being ‘harassed' for exclusive interviews by the sports tabloids eager for juicy stories and an audience who have been treated to expect hearing local players shooting their feet with silly statements.
Source: SokaTanzania
