Tanzania International Joins Portuguese Side

Tanzania international Simon Msuva has joined Portuguese Primeira Liga club Benfica on a three-year contract from Morocco side Difaa El Jadida.

The 27-year-old will not feature for the club immediately as he has been sent on a six-month loan deal to Greece giants Panathinaikos.

“It’s true (on signing for Benfica). The contract officially begins next week but he will first leave on loan to Panathinaikos before returning to feature for Benfica in July. The transfer has been smooth, everything is done and he has signed a three-year deal,” Msuva’s manager Jonas Tiboroha told Wasafi FM.

Msuva left Tanzania in February to join El Jadida on a two-year deal, ending his six years stint with Dar es Salaam outfit, Young Africans. He previously also enjoyed separate stints at Azam FC and Moro United.

Before signing for Benfica, Msuvaa had been on the radar of a number of European clubs, including Kasimpasa of Turkey.

The left-footed winger becomes only East African footballer in recent times to sign a Portuguese club, following in the footsteps of former Kenyan Premier League top scorer Francis Ouma and Gor Mahia’s Clifton Miheso.

Last year, Msuva helped Tanzania to qualify to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1980.