Dar es Salaam – Tanzania’s Shomari Kapombe, captain of Simba SC, has been named among the nominees for the 2025 CAF African Player of the Year award, marking a proud milestone for Tanzanian football.
The veteran right-back, who also stars for the Tanzania national team, Taifa Stars, joins an elite list of contenders that includes Ismail Belkasemi, Blati Touré, Issoufou Dayo, Fiston Mayele, Emam Ashour, Ibrahim Adel, Mohamed Hrimat, Mohamed Chibi, and Oussama Lamlioui.
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Kapombe’s nomination follows an outstanding campaign in which he played a leading role in Simba’s journey to the CAF Confederation Cup final, featuring in every match from the preliminary stages to the decisive fixture. His leadership, consistency, and defensive discipline stood out throughout the tournament.
Over the course of the season, Kapombe recorded eight assists and one goal in the group stage — remarkable statistics for a defender — and was instrumental in driving Simba’s attacking play from the back.
Having served Simba SC for more than eight consecutive seasons, Kapombe remains the club’s most experienced player and a respected figure in Tanzanian football.
His recognition by CAF not only honours his personal achievements but also signals the growing influence of Tanzanian footballers on the continental stage.
Should he win, Kapombe would become one of the few Tanzanian players ever to receive such a prestigious accolade — a testament to his hard work, leadership, and impact on and off the pitch.
The CAF Awards 2025 ceremony, set to be held later this year, will celebrate the best talents in African football, and Kapombe’s nomination underscores Tanzania’s rising presence in the sport’s elite ranks.
