Dar es Salaam. Bonaventure Kalou, the elder brother of former Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou, has spoken highly of Ivorian midfielder Célestin Ecua, who is on the verge of joining Young Africans SC (Yanga) from Zoman FC on a two year deal.
Although Bonaventure has not directly coached or mentored Ecua, he admitted to having closely followed the youngster’s progress in the Ivorian topflight and believes Yanga are making a smart move by targeting the dynamic playmaker.
Sources close to the player have confirmed that Ecua has agreed personal terms with the Tanzanian champions and is expected to arrive in Dar es Salaam soon for medicals before being unveiled officially by the club.
“Ecua is a disciplined and technically gifted midfielder,” Bonaventure said from Abidjan.
“He has good game intelligence, controls the tempo, and understands when to pass, move, or press. He is the kind of player who makes others better on the pitch.”
Ecua, who had a standout season with Zoman FC scoring seven goals and registering seven assists has been identified by Yanga as the ideal successor to Stephane Aziz Ki, who recently completed a high-profile move to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.
Yanga’s former head coach Miloud Hamdi is believed to have approved Ecua’s signing, impressed by the youngster’s versatility and ability to operate in different midfield roles be it as a deep-lying playmaker or an advanced attacking midfielder.
According to Bonaventure, Ecua’s biggest strength lies in his maturity and hunger for success.
“He is not distracted by fame or social media. He works hard, stays grounded, and listens. That’s rare in young players these days,” he emphasized.
Ecua reportedly turned down offers from clubs in Tunisia and Morocco after Yanga presented a more concrete sporting project, which includes participation in the CAF Champions League, domestic titles, and guaranteed playing time.
“He saw that Yanga is not just a club with history, but a club with a future,” said a source familiar with the negotiations.
“They gave him a clear role, made him feel important, and showed him their ambition at the continental level.”
Aziz Ki’s departure to North Africa left a creative vacuum in Yanga’s midfield, and fans have been eagerly waiting to see who would fill those big shoes. Ecua now appears to be the man entrusted with that task.
Yanga has a history of successful Ivorian imports most notably Stephane Aziz Ki and Pacome Zouzoua and the club’s scouts have continued to monitor talents from West Africa as they aim to dominate the region again this season.
Ecua’s arrival would strengthen Yanga’s midfield unit, which already features the likes of Mudathir Yahya, Khalid Aucho, and potentially Zouzoua, depending on his position in Gamondi’s tactical setup.
The youngster is expected to be integrated into the squad immediately, with pre-season camp approaching and CAF competitions just around the corner.
The technical team wants him to blend in quickly and understand the team’s playing philosophy.
However, Bonaventure cautioned against rushing to expectations, urging fans to be patient and allow Ecua time to adapt to a new country, language, and football environment.
“East African football is different from what he knows. But he learns fast and is mentally strong.”
He also praised the competitiveness of the Tanzanian Premier League, noting that the passion of fans and intensity of rivalries like the Kariakoo Derby offer the right kind of exposure for young African talents seeking growth.
