When striker Meddie Kagere joined Simba SC from Gor Mahia in 2018 at the age of 32, his move sparked mixed reactions among football fans and pundits in both countries, with some doubting where he would succeed in the fast-paced Tanzanian league.
The Rwanda international, however, silenced this talk on the pitch, rising to become the most talked-about player in Tanzanian football at the moment.
His power, agility, speed and scoring ability have been the talk of town all over Tanzania, giving Simba fans a reason to smile in the domestic league.
The 34-year-old has so far scored 52 goals in 76 appearances with Simba SC.
His 20 goals last season helped his club seal the Tanzania Premier League for a third consecutive season and ended the league top scorer for the second time since his switch at the club.
With nine league goals to his name so far this season, a goal shy of Azam FC striker Prince Dube who is the leading top scorer, Kagere is now eyeing yet another golden boot.
However, the striker is now struggling to replicate his domestic form on the continental level having failed to find the back of the net in matches that the Tanzanian reigning champions have played in this season.
Kagere’s display upfront has not impressed his Coach Didier Gomes da Rosa since he took charge of Simba SC in January this year. The Brazilian coach has only started the Amavubi striker once in the last six CAF Champions’ League group stage matches, when Al Ahly beat Simba SC 1-0 at Al-Salam Stadium Cairo, Egypt on April 9.
Despite the defeat, Simba progressed to the last eight of the competition knockout stage ending top of Group A table with 13 points, two ahead of Al Ahly.
His place in the first eleven is now under serious doubt with Congolese striker Mutshimba Kope Mugalu now preferred upfront since he signed for Simba SC from Zambian side Lusaka Dynamos in August last year.
Kagere has so far bagged 15 goals in 41 appearances for the national team since he earned his first call-up in 2011 but he has not found the back of the net since 2018 when he scored during the 2-1 defeat by Ivory Coast.
Simba sit third on the league table with 46 points, five points behind league leaders Yanga Africans, but with five games in hand and, with both the league and the Champions entering crucial stages, Kagere must again prove doubters wrong and deliver on big occasions where his team needs him most.
If Da Rosa keeps faith in him, there is hope that the 35-year-old can regain his form and end the campaign on a high. If not, he risks being dropped for champions league matches.