The four-time consecutive winner of the Tanzania Premier League, Young Africans Sports Club, has apologized to its supporters following the August 12, 2025, donation made by Club President Hersi Said at the ruling party CCM’s fundraising dinner ahead of its campaign activities.
The donation sparked backlash, as the Club is generally expected to remain neutral in political matters, given that its supporters come from a wide range of political affiliations.
“The leadership of Young Africans Sports Club would like to clarify to the public regarding the contribution of 100 million shillings that was given to Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) on 12/08/2025,” the Club’s statement, signed by CEO Andre Mtine, reads.
“That contribution was made by the GSM Foundation, which is under the patron and sponsor of our club, Ghalib Said Mohammed, and not from members’ funds or the club’s budget, through various sources of income,” the clarification continued.
During the event, Hersi Said, the Club President, stated twice that the donation was coming from the Club, after announcing the Sh. 10 billion contribution from the Club’s sponsor. Hersi is affiliated with both the Club and the sponsor. His remarks during the function—that the 100 million shillings would come from the Club—have continued to generate discussion on social media despite the later clarification from Yanga.
“The GSM Foundation has been collaborating with Yanga Club for the past three years to provide money and assistance to communities and various groups within and outside the borders of Tanzania. The leadership of Young Africans Sports Club would like to apologize to the members, fans, and football lovers for any inconvenience caused by this misunderstanding,” the statement from the Club continued.
