Samatta completes Aston Villa move amidst scramble by Kenyan, TZ fans
By Jeff KinyanjuiTanzanian international Mbwana Samatta has finally completed a move to English Premier League (EPL) side Aston Villa on a four and half year deal from Belgian giants Genk.
Samatta, 27, has scored 10 goals for Genk in all competitions this season including a goal at Anfield against Liverpool in the Champions League. He was on the radar of a number of top teams.
Villa won his signature but it took longer to announce the capture as they had to work hard to acquire his work permit.
Samatta says the move is not just big news for him but a proud moment for all Tanzanians
?? @Samagoal77_ wants to make his country proud in the @PremierLeague. ?#KaribuSamatta ?? #AVFC pic.twitter.com/IDnXy7iDmS
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 20, 2020
The news of his signing is still trending in Kenya as the famous Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) took to the social media site to celebrate the development and stealing the joy from Tanzanians as they continue to joke that the striker is Kenyan, to a point of confusing some international media sites.
Another great Kenyan ????. Congrats #KaribuSamatta https://t.co/PhnBWViVc5
— ChegehG (@leiryung) January 21, 2020
Kenya is a blessed country. Our Mbwana Samatta now on the Premier League @AVFCOfficial. Tanzanians are now jealous of Kenyans. Aston Villa here we come. #KaribuSamatta pic.twitter.com/l1cCyAXJIr
— Mjengo Specialist (@JoeKisii) January 21, 2020
Mbwana Samatta is the 2nd Kenyan to play in the premier league ??????#KaribuSamatta pic.twitter.com/wRlBl1c3Dy
— Kamulu (@kamulu_) January 21, 2020
Kenyan International Victor Wanyama became the first East African to ever play in the EPL when he joined Southampton in 2013 and now Mbwana Samatta becomes the second and the first-ever Tanzanian to join an EPL side.
Samatta is a man of many firsts. He was the first Tanzanian to score in the European Champions League, first Tanzanian to score in the Europa League, first Tanzanian to win the CAF Champions League while at TP Mazembe and is now the first Tanzanian to join an EPL side.