Tanzania is expected to welcome a high-profile delegation in the coming days following confirmation that more than 10 scouts from across Europe will arrive in the country, including two from Sweden.
Former Manchester United player Febian Brandy will also be closely following the event.
Brandy, whose Manchester-based academy in England works with two Tanzanian youngsters, Gwakisa Mwakipesile and Calvin Mushi, is expected to monitor developments around the AYE 2026 Scouting Series, an event specifically designed to identify football talent.
The Swedish scouts confirmed include Tesfaye Berhane Nahom and Jamal Daniel Samuel.
The event is scheduled to take place from April 29, to May 2, 2026 at the Don Bosco grounds in Dodoma, under the slogan Nyota Ajaye ni Wewe (The Star of Tomorrow is You).
The initiative aims to ensure Tanzania produces a higher number of professional players competing in Europe, similar to Western and North African nations.
Arrival of the Scouts
According to organisers, more than 10 scouts will travel from various European countries, bringing extensive experience working with top academies and clubs across the continent.
Each scout will assess players based on technical ability, game speed, football intelligence, and their capacity to perform under competitive pressure.
The initiative seeks to introduce a modern talent identification system in Tanzania, where players will not only be judged on goals scored or assists provided, but also on their overall contribution to the team, discipline, and ability to learn quickly.
Brandy, who is linked to the project, is said to have a strong international network connecting young players with agents and European clubs, adding further significance to the event.
A global scouting vision
The AYE 2026 Scouting Series is being described as a key step in placing Tanzania on the global football map, particularly within modern youth scouting systems.
Traditionally, West and North African countries have dominated the export of professional players to Europe, largely due to strong academy structures and greater exposure opportunities.
However, this initiative aims to shift that narrative in East Africa by positioning Tanzania as an emerging hub for producing internationally competitive talent.
Speaking about the project, AYE Chief Executive Director Gerald Muyimba said:
“This will be our way of life. Every so often we will bring people to witness the talent Tanzania is blessed with. This is not our first time; it is a continuation of ensuring we produce more players like Mbwana Samatta.”
He added: “The young players identified will get opportunities to travel to Europe for youth tournaments, which will further increase their exposure. I believe we will achieve our goal of producing more Tanzanian players competing abroad.”
On Brandy’s involvement, he said: “We believe that one day he will come to Tanzania and be part of this initiative physically. He will not be in Dodoma, but he will support us remotely as he is a very important part of our network.”
Opportunities for under-18 players
One of the key aspects of the programme is creating opportunities for players under the age of 18, allowing them to begin their professional journey early under close European observation.
Tanzanian football stakeholder Antony Ngailo, who is based in England and has been working closely with Gwakisa and Calvin, also highlighted the importance of the initiative.
He said: “I know it is only a matter of time before Tanzania becomes one of the strongest football nations in Africa. We have a lot of talented young players. I have seen what Gwakisa and Calvin can do, and I have no doubt that in a few years they will be an asset to the national team.”
He added: “I would love to see more young players, for example 10 in Spain, five in Italy, eight in the Netherlands, six in France. By the time they reach 20 to 23 years old, if we can get 10 to 13 of them playing at a high level in top leagues, we could become like DR Congo, which has earned respect by consistently producing players who reach the World Cup.”
Links to major European youth tournaments
The programme is also connected to major international youth competitions such as the Gothia Cup (Sweden), Dana Cup (Denmark), and Girona Cup (Spain), which are among the most prestigious youth football tournaments in the world.
These competitions regularly attract teams and academies from across the globe.
Clubs and academies that have previously participated or sent players include FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal, Ajax, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Through this partnership, players identified in Tanzania will have a direct pathway to participate in these tournaments, gaining valuable international experience, learning professional football discipline, and increasing their chances of being signed by top European clubs.
