JOHANNESBURG – growing number of Betway Premiership players are making the move to East Africa, and Stellenbosch FC could soon become the latest South African club to lose one of its stars to the Tanzanian Premier League.
The African Chronicle has learned that Belgian defender Henri Stanic is on the verge of joining Tanzanian heavyweights Azam FC, bringing an end to his brief but impressive spell with the Cape Winelands outfit.
A source with knowledge of the negotiations told The African Chronicle that the two clubs have reached an agreement for the 23-year-old centre-back.
“Azam FC and Stellenbosch FC have reached an agreement on the Belgian centre-back Henri Stanic. He is set to join Azam FC in Tanzania,” the source said.
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The move has also been reported by several South African football outlets after first surfacing on social media. While the transfer is yet to be officially confirmed, reports suggest Stanic is expected to sign a two-year contract with an option to extend for a third season, though the final details are still pending.
Impressive first season at Stellenbosch
Stanic joined Stellenbosch FC in July last year from Maltese Premier League club Balzan FC after an eye-catching campaign in which he scored three goals in 29 appearances to help the club retain its top-flight status.
The Belgian defender is a product of Anderlecht’s renowned Neerpede academy and has represented Belgium at youth level before continuing his career in Malta.
His adaptation to South African football was swift. Stanic quickly became a regular in Stellenbosch’s defence, making 16 Betway Premiership appearances while also gaining valuable experience in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Although he still has two years remaining on his contract, the proposed move to Azam FC would see him leave the club by mutual agreement.
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Stellenbosch FC has yet to comment publicly on the reported transfer. Soccer Laduma, which first reported aspects of the story, said the club had not responded to requests for comment before publication.
Another South African export to Tanzania
If completed, Stanic’s move would be the latest example of Tanzania’s top clubs increasingly turning to South Africa for talent.
Sekhukhune United winger Keletso Makgalwa has also been strongly linked with a move to Simba SC, while former Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi recently took charge of Young Africans (Yanga).
The growing South African influence in Tanzania is widely attributed to the increasing number of South African coaches working in the country’s Premier League. Their familiarity with the Betway Premiership has reportedly encouraged clubs such as Simba, Yanga and Azam to intensify their recruitment of players from South Africa.
Should the deal be finalised, Stanic will become the latest Betway Premiership player to swap South Africa for one of East Africa’s fastest-growing football leagues.
