SOCCER is a game that thrives in strategy, skill, and teamwork. While the strikers often steal the spotlight with their goals and the defenders guard the net with unwavering determination, midfielders are the performers who hold the key to success on the pitch.

Acting as the link between defense and attack, these versatile players are the engine that drives the team forward, dictating the tempo of the game, and orchestrating play with their precise passing and intelligent decision-making. 

In Tanzania's soccer landscape, soccer fans have been witnessing all 16 teams in the Premier League battling to outsmart each other - when it comes to recruiting talented players with what it takes to have the clubs do well.

Simba SC boast Fabrice Ngoma, Edwin Balua, and Joshua Mutale, whereas Young Africans’ midfield is marshaled by, among others, Pacome Zouzoua, Stephane Aziz Ki, Maxi Nzengeli, and Khalid Aucho. Azam FC take pride in roping in Feisal Salum 'Fei Toto', Ever Meza, and many more.

The Ivorian Zouzoua, who wears jersey number 25 at Young Africans, highlights the focus on the midfielders. He originates from a country found in the western part of Africa.

Zouzoua has, for the two seasons he has featured in the top flight, proved he is the most valuable player and potential at Young Africans.

He has what it takes to send his side's fanatics into ecstasy when he torments opponent's defenses in tightly contested games in Tanzania's soccer landscape.

Zouzoua is, however, not the first prominent midfielder to have extensively stolen the limelight in Tanzania and beyond the East African territory, as the country had several prominent midfielders.

They are among others Jonas Mkude - who is now a Young Africans’ midfielder and is regularly used as a substitute. The midfielder was prominent while turning out for Simba SC.

The list also has James Kotei (Simba SC), Thabani Kamusoko, Papy Tshishimbi (Young Africans), Himid Mao (Azam FC), and Mudathir Yahya (Singida United).

Zouzoua's uniqueness and magical skills have made fans rate him as a game-changer, a pretty versatile performer who can play as a dribbling winger, goalscoring central attacking midfielder, creative playmaker, and a box-to-box midfielder - the kinds of skills that are so hard for many players to master.

In several games, the Ivorian footballer has turned out for his outfit and has delighted the squad's supporters.

When Young Africans met Egypt's Al Ahly in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League clash at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and held the Egyptian side to a 1-1 draw, he showcased a stellar showing and won the followers' hearts. 

Even though Al Ahly is one of the highly respected teams in Africa that has seriously invested in football by signing many prominent players, the Ivorian baller tormented the continental football giants and he netted a goal for Young Africans, putting the club in a good position.

The midfielder once again put his talent to show when Young Africans locked horns with long-time rival, Simba SC, in the 2024/25 TFF Community Shield mini-tournament second semi-final. Young Africans won 1-0 in the derby.

Even though the clash was highly competitive, Zouzoua displayed eye-catching dribbling and mesmerizing footwork, outsmarting Simba defenders and they could hardly keep up with his swift movements. 

His passes were accurate, given the player threaded them through tight spaces, breaking down the opponent’s defense and creating many scoring opportunities.

The derby - a tough, end-to-end clash, witnessed the performer holding the key that unlocked Simba given he was involved in a brilliant build-up with fellow midfielder Max Nzengeli.

Zouzoua found Zimbabwean forward Prince Dube with a great pass - the goal-getter executed a clever assist to Nzengeli and the Congolese got past a Simba defender and rifled past onrushing Guinean keeper Mousa Camara's legs.

The Ivorian player's versatility, strategic positioning, and exceptional skills ultimately made him a hero in the match.