Tanzanian football star Mbwana Ally Samatta has signed a one-year contract with Le Havre, a club competing in France’s top-tier league, Ligue 1—making history as the first Tanzanian player to feature in that league.
Le Havre officially unveiled the 32-year-old striker, confirming that he will wear jersey number 70 for the club, also known as Sky & Navy. The transfer comes after a successful career journey that has taken Samatta from African leagues to several top European competitions.
According to the club's official website, Samatta was signed for his experience, technical quality, and excellent finishing ability.
"In Tanzania, there are two undeniable treasures: Mount Kilimanjaro and Ally Samatta. And while Le Havre are no strangers to climbing tall mountains, this time they've decided to bring a mountain of talent directly to Normandy," read a statement on the club’s website.
Nicknamed "Samagoal" for his clinical goal-scoring prowess, Samatta rose to prominence with TP Mazembe in DR Congo, where he won four league titles and helped the club secure the CAF Champions League title in 2015.
That same year, he finished as the tournament’s top scorer and was crowned the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa).
His success in Africa paved the way for a move to Europe, starting with Belgian side Genk, where he helped the team win the Belgian Pro League and became one of the league’s top forwards.
His talent later earned him a move to Premier League side Aston Villa, followed by spells at Fenerbahçe (Turkey), Royal Antwerp (Belgium), and a return to Genk.
Most recently, Samatta played for PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece, where he played a key role in their 2023–24 Super League championship win.
At Le Havre, Samatta is expected to bring not only experience but also the ability to influence match outcomes significantly.
