In football, when a team goes through a difficult period, the blame often starts with the coach, then shifts to the players and eventually reaches the club’s management.
Yanga SC does not appear to be an exception to this pattern. Following the debate over Manqoba Mngqithi’s tactics and how they were received within the Wananchi squad, some analysts are now turning their attention to the club’s president, Engineer Hersi Said.
The question that needs to be asked is this: After the coach, is Hersi now the target? Or is this the time to look at Yanga more broadly rather than searching for someone to take the blame?
At the beginning of the debate over Yanga’s performances, the main argument was that Mngqithi had failed to adapt to the football culture that the club’s supporters were accustomed to. Some critics believed his tactics were affecting the team’s style of play and the results it was producing.
Expectations at Yanga are high. This is a club with a rich history, a large fan base and a strong desire to continue dominating Tanzanian football. Under these circumstances, disappointing results are rarely accepted calmly, especially when they come in succession.
After struggling in their previous two league matches, the decision was made to part ways with Mngqithi, despite the management having initially shown its support for the coach.
However, a coach’s departure does not mean every problem has been solved. Similarly, it does not mean that all the problems the team faced were caused by the coach alone.
Football is a game of systems. The coach, players, preparations, recruitment and management all have their respective roles. When challenges arise, it is important to identify the area where the problem lies rather than rushing to conclusions that could further destabilise the team.
Why Is Hersi Now Part of the Debate?
Following the debate surrounding Mngqithi, criticism is now being directed at Yanga president Hersi Said, particularly over the quality of some of the players recruited by the club.
This argument deserves careful consideration. Recruitment is undoubtedly an important part of a team’s success, and management has a responsibility to ensure that the money spent helps build a competitive squad.
However, it is also important to distinguish between a player failing to meet expectations and the decision to sign that player being a mistake from the outset.
In modern football, no signing comes with a guarantee of success. Some players arrive at a new club and adapt quickly, while others need more time. Some shine in one league but face challenges when moving to another country, adjusting to a different playing system or taking on new responsibilities within a team.
Therefore, directly blaming Hersi whenever a player fails to perform well does not amount to a sufficiently thorough analysis.
What is needed is an evidence-based assessment: Were the players signed according to the team’s actual needs? Have they been given the right environment to demonstrate their abilities? Did the coach’s tactics suit their attributes? And does the club have a system for evaluating the success of its recruitment decisions?
There is a popular saying in football that recruitment is a gamble. A player may have impressive statistics, an outstanding record and a history of success, yet fail to reproduce the same level of performance at a new club.
Examples include Celestine Ecua and Moussa Balla Conte, who arrived at Yanga last season amid high expectations because of their reputations and performances at their former clubs. Ecua had been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Ivory Coast Premier League.
Nevertheless, supporters’ expectations do not always directly correspond to the level a player can deliver after moving to a new environment.
This is where the difference between expectations and the reality of football becomes apparent. Hersi can be questioned over recruitment decisions in his capacity as club president. However, such arguments should be based on statistics, the team’s needs and the players’ performances, rather than using a handful of results as proof that the entire system has failed.
Is There an Agenda to Divide Yanga Supporters?
When a team is facing challenges, internal debates can intensify and turn into divisions. Some people who do not wish Yanga well may use the situation as an opening to fuel a crisis that could eventually lead to conflict within the club itself.
This season, Yanga has faced criticism from the outset, perhaps because of its history and stature. At the same time, Yanga supporters themselves want to see their team continue progressing. Expectations were high, but the season got off to a slow start.
The important thing is that the management has already taken action by making changes to the technical bench. For now, Yanga supporters have no reason to panic; they should allow time to see the impact of those changes.
They should not allow themselves to be swayed by people who are exploiting the current pressure to create a major rift within the club and undermine its stability.
