Tanzania’s Aisha Masaka boosted by social media during injury-hit season

Masaka’s position as an East African trailblazer in English football has increased her profile back in her homeland, something she is keen to capitalise on to promote the women’s game.

“I inspire many players, many young girls now because this level I reached is very high, [a] big step for anyone,” she said.

“Girls and boys, they see me as a role model.”

Tanzania’s appearance in Morocco was their second at a Wafcon finals. With another star attacker, Clara Luvanga, also out injured, the team finished bottom of their group, even if they did pick up their first ever Wafcon point by drawing with holders South Africa.

The Twiga Stars have the opportunity to qualify for next year’s tournament when they face Ethiopia home and away in October, and another appearance would continue to drive more interest in a sport that Masaka says is growing “very quickly”.

“If you look five years ago, no professional player from Tanzania played outside Tanzania,” she added.

“But now it’s a lot of players outside Tanzania [who] play professionally.”

Perhaps appropriately, Masaka used social media to announce her injury ahead of Wafcon, describing it as “a huge pain”, not just physically but “more mentally and emotionally”.

Promising to return with “renewed strength”, she remains committed to providing an example for young girls with big football dreams.

“I’m very proud and I will work hard to prove that everything is possible,” she concluded.

“You can go far when you have a target, when you have goals.”

Masaka may have missed out on this Wafcon, but she will be keen to find her feet on football’s dancefloor again as soon as possible with the new season just around the corner.