DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 30 -- TANZANIAN football is enjoying one of those beautiful moments when everybody wants to smile, clap and pretend there is no small problem standing quietly in the corner wearing boots.

Our clubs are stronger, richer in ambition and increasingly attractive to talented foreign players who arrive in Dar es Salaam in droves.

They sign contracts, score goals and within three weeks become experts in local traffic, pilau, derby pressure and the mysterious national art of being blamed for everything by rival supporters.

This is progress.

Simba, Yanga, Azam, Singida Black Stars and others need quality if they are to compete seriously in Africa.

Continental football does not respect speeches, slogans or patriotic chest-t...