Tanzanian para footballer Emmanuel Mlefu has realised his dream of playing professional football abroad after signing a two-year contract with Turkish side Sisil Yedipete, a club competing in Turkey’s premier league for athletes with disabilities.
Mlefu, who previously featured for Sauti Para Sport, has already departed Tanzania and arrived in Istanbul, where he has begun settling into life with his new club as he prepares to embark on his professional career.
Speaking ahead of his first training sessions with the team, Mlefu said he is determined to work hard and prove his worth after being entrusted with the opportunity to play at the international level.
“This is a special opportunity for me. I will fight hard and give my best to show the club that their decision to sign me was the right one,” he said.
The talented player said his broader ambition is to grow into one of the leading figures in para football while helping raise the profile of the sport in Tanzania and beyond.
Mlefu explained that his breakthrough came after a standout performance during an international para football tournament held in Burundi, where he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
“That competition opened the door for me after I was named MVP. I promise to give everything I have to help my new team succeed,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to God for enabling him to reach an important milestone in his sporting career, noting that he is fully prepared to demonstrate his talent on the pitch.
Beyond his personal ambitions, Mlefu sent a message of encouragement to other aspiring para athletes in Tanzania, urging them to remain patient and committed to their goals.
“I want to motivate fellow players back home to keep working hard and believing in their dreams. Opportunities exist and they are possible. When God’s time comes, nothing can stop it. I believe many others will follow this path,” he added.
Mlefu’s move marks an encouraging moment for Tanzania’s para sports community, highlighting the growing potential of local athletes to compete and excel on the international stage.
