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Clatous Chama has enjoyed a hugely successful career with Simba. The Zambian international attacking midfielder won almost everything during his six years with Simba.
He has won the Premier League title three times, the Federation Cup two times, and the Community Shield four times. Chama also won the Tanzania Premier League Player of the Year award for the 2019/20 season.
He also guided Simba to four CAF Champions League quarter final appearances and will be forever remembered for scoring late crucial goals against Nkana and AS Vita that sent Simba to the Group stage and quarter final of CAF Champions League in 2018/19 season.
Last season, Chama scored seven goals in the NBC Premier League and created 6 goals for his teammates. In the Champions League and African Football he had a total of 6 goal involvements, so Chama was a key player at times for both Robertinho and Abelhak Benchikha.
Chama's contract expired on June 30th and he was immediately announced as a Young Africans player the following day. So, why has Simba decided to let him go to their major rivals?
Though there was no hint of Chama being unhappy at Simba or that he was going to turn down the offer of a new contract if it met his demands, the general consensus is that Simba needs a new man for the future as far as the number 10 position is concerned.
This could be the reason why the club might have been slow to meet Chama’s demand. Perhaps the hierarchy at the club decided they want to use the funds that would be taken up by offering Chama a new deal to invest elsewhere in the squad.
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Indicative of his influence is that Simba will have a big hole with his exit in terms of creativity. Replacing that number of goal involvements is likely to be tough. He will be missed, but as Simba have proven in the past, they can replace stars with players that are just as good, if not better.
It is true a post-Chama might be tough at the start but it is an opportunity for a fresh start. It is time to build the team around someone who has his best years ahead.
As for Yanga, they will never enjoy Chama's talent in the way Simba did but they are getting a proven player who can deliver goals and assists. He improves their squad depth.
Having Chama even on the bench is a nice headache for coach Miguel Gamondi. Gamondi will be hoping the ability and experience of Chama can help them to retain the league title and make a deep run in the Champions League.
With the addition of Chama, Yanga have three creative talents to terrorise opposition defences. Chama may not be able to start in every game like he did at Simba, but when he is on the pitch, Yanga fans can expect the Zambian maestro to create goals.
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Chama is a player who is used to winning titles and he has tasted league success in Tanzania and Zambia. He knows what it takes to win and he has a total of five league titles to his name, two of which came during his time in Zambia with Zesco United.
Yanga would also gain not only from his talent but what he’d bring off the field; marketing, merchandise and glamour. Chama is one of the very few bonafide stars on and off the pitch in the NBC Premier League.
For Chama, he gets to enjoy a final windfall in his career. Chama perfected the art of squeezing Simba balls almost every transfer window. This time for one reason or another, Simba said enough is enough.
Luckily for Chama, Young Africans who have always salivated for his signature since his arrival in Tanzania back in 2018 were to embrace him.
Chama has committed to a one-season deal with the option of an extra year, and will reportedly earn $13,000 per month in wages with Young Africans. It is a nice paycheck for a player turning 34 years in the next 12 months.
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As a business transaction, this deal is a very good move for Chama. He has already won regardless of how his stay at Yanga turns out in the end. He has banked good money moving from a club that he was loved by supporters to one that has fantasised for him for so long.
In addition, Chama knows he is leaving at the right time on his own terms despite the nature of his exit. When the dust has settled and emotions put aside, he will be considered a club legend for what he has done at Msimbazi.
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