Former Gor Mahia coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno has opened up on the factors that are currently making the Tanzania Premier League more competitive and professionally run compared to Kenya’s SportPesa League, pointing out professionalism, proper structures and respect for contracts as key areas giving Tanzania the edge.
The veteran tactician, who has previously coached Kenyan giants Gor Mahia, KCB FC and Sofapaka FC, as well as the national team, recently had a stint in Tanzania where he led Tanzania Prisons FC in the top-flight league.
Drawing from his experience, Zico noted that while Kenya has strong football potential,implementation of plans remains a major challenge.
“What we must accept is that our biggest problem is that we have a lot of plans, but putting them into action is where we draw the line. In Tanzania they first appreciate players and coaches, and payments are always done on time.
Issues like teams not paying players are sad things. You cannot demand performance from someone under contract and then fail to pay them at the end of the month. What will his family eat? That is not fair and it should be addressed,” said Zico.
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Former Gor Mahia coach ‘Zico’ Otieno explains why Tanzania Premier League is currently ahead of Kenya
He emphasized that timely payments and respect for contracts play a major role in motivating players and coaches, which in turn improves the quality of the league.
“In Tanzania such things rarely happen because they respect contracts and we all know that is a big motivation factor. We are marketing our game, and that is only possible by giving it a good face for it to be appealing and marketable,” he added.
The experienced coach further highlighted that even small operational details in Tanzania contribute significantly to professionalism and league growth.
“There are a lot of small things they do which might look small, but they are very good motivation. You cannot get a team using the same jersey for two seasons. New season means new jerseys, training kits, travelling kits and tracksuits. That is how you sell merchandise to fans,” he explained.
Zico revealed that he was personally impressed by how clubs handle equipment and preparations.
“While in Tanzania, I was surprised when I received kits for preseason and then, when the season was about to start, they brought a completely new set again. That shows seriousness and professionalism from the club,” he noted.
On structural organization, the veteran tactician pointed out that club licensing regulations in Tanzania are strictly followed, unlike in Kenya where some requirements remain on paper.
“Every team in the league must have U20, U17 and a ladies’ team. It is a must. But here at home, it is only part of club licensing on paper. That should not be the case because development must be on the ground. Otherwise, it is like copying exams and scoring 100 percent but leaving with an empty mind,” he opined.
Zico also spoke about professionalism in contract termination and coaching transitions, noting that Tanzania follows strict procedures before replacing a coach.
“They have clear ways of contract termination. The federation cannot register a new coach before the current coach’s contract is formally terminated and agreed upon mutually. Payment mechanisms must be signed and submitted before a new coach is registered. It is not like here where you are just informed your contract has been terminated,” he explained.
He added that youth development is also integrated into the league system, with mandatory inclusion of young players in matchday squads.
“With the U20s, at least two must be on the bench for the senior team so that they learn and grow through exposure,” he said.
Zico concluded by highlighting better matchday organization and media engagement in Tanzania, which also contributes to marketing and transparency.
“Before every match, teams must train at the match venue and there is a pre-match press conference involving the head coach and captain. This helps explain injuries and team decisions. It also helps in marketing the league and avoiding confusion after matches,” he concluded.
The veteran coach’s insights paint a clear picture of the structural and professional differences between the two leagues, with Tanzania’s commitment to organization, player welfare, and strict adherence to regulations being key drivers behind its current rise in African football rankings.