False Tanzanian paradise

Raymond Jaravaza
ITaï¿½ï¿½S often said when a deal is too good to be true, it probably is.

Zimbabwean players flocked into the so-called big spenders Tanzanian clubs lured by the prospect of cashing on huge signing on fees.

Even the salaries that they were promised were so competitive to turn even some big clubs in the rich Absa Premiership green with envy.

Figures ranging $5 000 per month in salaries were flown around when the lucky few players aï¿½ï¿½ Elisha Muroiwa, Wisdom Mutasa and Tafadzwa Kutinyu aï¿½ï¿½ attracted Singida United of Tanzania last year.

One season later Muroiwa and Mutasa are back home amid horrifying stories of ill treatment and empty promises that were never fulfilled.

The lure of the big money spenders at Singida United compared with the reality on the ground turned out to be as different as the two sides of a coin.

From being accommodated in sub-standard lodgings to resorting to travelling back home for treatment because Singida United at some point didnaï¿½ï¿½t have a medical doctor, the Tanzanian dream proved to be nothing short of an empty dream.

aï¿½?In terms of accommodation it was another major issue that contributed (to the sudden departure).

aï¿½?You know every morning you have to sweep some insects in the house. I had to talk to the executive so that they release me because what they promised is not what they gave me; it was ridiculous, living in an empty house,aï¿½? Muroiwa told a local radio station.

aï¿½?I remember one time I had to come back to Zimbabwe to get treatment because the club had failed. There was no doctor at the club,aï¿½? said the former Dynamos defender.

Wisdom Mutasa, the son of Dynamos coach Lloyd, is also back home searching for a new club.

Of the trio that joined Singida United, only Kutinyu aï¿½ï¿½ the former Chicken Inn player aï¿½ï¿½ remains in Tanzania.

The official line from the Tanzanian club is that Muroiwa and Mutasa were offloaded, a claim that both players deny.

The duo reckons Singida United are running out of money.

aï¿½?I think it is an ambitious club which lacks professionalism, maybe I can say the way they deal with issues is not professional. I think they were also running out of finance,aï¿½? added Muroiwa.