Mbwana Ally Samatta, the 32-year-old Tanzanian striker, has made history by becoming the first Tanzanian to play in France’s Ligue 1 after signing a one-year contract with Le Havre AC for the 2025-2026 season. Known for his prolific scoring and leadership, Samatta will wear the number 70 jersey and bring his extensive high-level experience to support Le Havre’s attack.
Samatta’s career has spanned several prominent clubs across Europe, including Genk in Belgium, Aston Villa in England, Fenerbahçe in Turkey, Antwerp, and most recently PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece, where he was part of the team that won the Greek championship. Over the last season with PAOK, he scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists in 20 appearances across competitions.
Le Havre sees Samatta as a key reinforcement to their offensive line, especially after the departure of other attackers like Ahmed Hassan. His signing is part of the club’s strategy to strengthen their squad following promotion to Ligue 1. Samatta’s role is also crucial as he prepares to captain the Tanzanian national team, the Taifa Stars, at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Morocco in December 2025.
With his proven track record and leadership qualities, Mbwana Samatta’s arrival in Ligue 1 is eagerly anticipated by fans and football analysts alike. His presence is expected to boost Le Havre’s competitiveness in one of Europe’s toughest leagues while also inspiring a new generation of Tanzanian footballers. Samatta himself expressed excitement about joining Le Havre and contributing 100% to the team’s efforts this season.
This fresh chapter marks a significant milestone not only in Samatta’s career but also in the representation of Tanzanian football on the European stage.