SINGIDA Black Stars have initiated a strategic move to navigate the Premier League’s regulations on foreign players.

With a cap of 12 foreign players per team, the club is turning to naturalization to retain talent while making room for new signings.

The Tanzanian club has facilitated the citizenship switch for three key foreign players: Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Kayekek, Guinean midfielder Mohamed Damaro, and Ivorian center-back Arthur Bada. 

The trio has applied for Tanzanian nationality, a development confirmed by the club’s Media and Communication Manager, Hussein Massanza.

“There are players who have expressed interest in changing their citizenship,” Massanza stated. “Because it is a personal matter, I would not like to discuss it in detail. However, I confirm that three players from different nationalities are undergoing this process.”

This move allows Singida Black Stars to free up foreign player slots while retaining the talent that has contributed to their success. 

It also creates opportunities to integrate new foreign recruits, including Ghanaian forward Jonathan Sowah and Nigerian goalkeeper Amas Obasogie.

Additionally, the club has recalled Nigerian midfielder Morrice Chukwu and Congolese wing-back Hernest Malonga from loan spells at Tabora United and Coastal Union.

The naturalization of players is not new in global football. Countries like South Africa, Tunisia, Japan, and Iran have embraced this strategy to strengthen their leagues and national teams. 

However, it is a relatively novel approach in Tanzania. If successful, it could set a precedent for other clubs in the Premier League seeking to balance compliance with league rules and the desire to enhance squad quality.

As the process unfolds, the move highlights Singida Black Stars’ ambition to remain competitive while adapting to league regulations innovatively. 

Fans and stakeholders await official confirmation of the players' new status