DAR ES SALAAM, July 19 -- EVERY serious country needs experts. When electricity disappears, we look for electricians. When water vanishes, we remember plumbers.

And when Tanzanians want to know whether Yanga will survive Cairo, Simba will behave in Bamako, Azam will stop collecting points like supermarket loyalty cards, or Singida will return from an away match with both luggage and dignity, we remember the late Sheikh Yahya Hussein.

Sheikh Yahya, then Africas top astrologer, had what modern analysts lack: Certainty. He did not need GPS vests, expected goals or data dashboards.

He looked at the Moon, consulted a few stars and announced the result before the referee had checked his watch.

Since he left us, the National Prediction Depar...