Mrisho Ngasa


Mrisho Khalfani Ngasa is a Tanzanian former professional footballer. Ngasa was known for his explosive pace, dribbling and goalscoring. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time in his country and top goalscorer of the national team.

Club career

In April 2009, Ngasa was invited for a trial with English Premier League side West Ham United. On 21 May 2010, Ngassa joined Azam FC for $40,000 from Young Africans. It was the biggest transfer in Tanzanian football to date. In July 2011, Ngassa went on trial with Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer, and came on as a substitute against Manchester United in a friendly match.
At the beginning of August 2012, Ngasa signed for Simba, on loan.
Following the 2012–13 Tanzanian Premier League season, after his contract with Azam FC had expired, on 20 May 2013 Ngassa signed a two-year contract with the league and cup title holders Young Africans. He became one of the top scorers of 2014 CAF Champions League with two hat-tricks making a totality of six goals.
In 2015, Ngasa signed a four-year contract with Free State Stars, a South African-based club. He then signed for Fanja in Oman. In 2016 Ngasa signed a two-year contract with Mbeya City in Tanzania. Ngasa then joined Ndanda, also in Tanzania.

International career

Ngasa was the top scorer in the 2009 CECAFA Cup with five goals as Tanzania finished fourth in the tournament.
Ngasa played 100 international matches between 2006 and 2015, becoming the first Tanzanian player to achieve this feat. He also managed to score 25 goals in the process, becoming the nation's all-time top goalscorer.

Personal life

Ngasa is the son of Khalfan Ngasa, a former Tanzanian international footballer who played as a midfielder. Ngassa is among of talented players in Tanzania who impressed many coaches and scouts around the world, among the famous coaches who was impressed by his talent was Gianfranco Zola, the former Chelsea and Italy national team player, who was working as the manager of West Ham United.

Career statistics

International

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.1 December 2006Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa1–03–02006 CECAFA Cup
2.11 October 2008Uhuru Stadium, Dar es Salaam3–13–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.7 January 2009Nakivubo Stadium, Kampala1–02–02008 CECAFA Cup
4.13 January 2009Mandela National Stadium, Kampala1–03–22008 CECAFA Cup
5.1 December 2009Mumias Sports Complex, Mumias1–01–02009 CECAFA Cup
6.4 December 2009Mumias Sports Complex, Mumias1–01–02009 CECAFA Cup
7.8 December 2009Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi2–04–02009 CECAFA Cup
8.8 December 2009Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi3–04–02009 CECAFA Cup
9.8 December 2009Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi4–04–02009 CECAFA Cup
10.3 March 2010CCM Kirumba Stadium, Mwanza2–12–3Friendly
11.1 May 2010Uhuru Stadium, Dar es Salaam1–11–1Friendly
12.11 August 2010Uhuru Stadium, Dar es Salaam1–11–1Friendly
13.9 February 2011Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Dar es Salaam1–01–0Friendly
14.11 November 2011Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya, N'Djamena1–02–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
15.8 December 2011Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Dar es Salaam1–01–32011 CECAFA Cup
16.15 August 2012Molepolole Stadium, Molepolole3–33–3Friendly
17.1 December 2012Lugogo Stadium, Kampala1–07–02012 CECAFA Cup
18.1 December 2012Lugogo Stadium, Kampala2–07–02012 CECAFA Cup
19.1 December 2012Lugogo Stadium, Kampala5–07–02012 CECAFA Cup
20.1 December 2012Lugogo Stadium, Kampala6–07–02012 CECAFA Cup
21.1 December 2012Lugogo Stadium, Kampala7–07–02012 CECAFA Cup
22.22 December 2012Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Dar es Salaam1–01–0Friendly
23.7 December 2013Mombasa Municipal Stadium, Mombasa1–12–22013 CECAFA Cup
24.7 December 2013Mombasa Municipal Stadium, Mombasa2–12–22013 CECAFA Cup
25.29 March 2015CCM Kirumba Stadium, Mwanza1–11–1Friendly

Honours

;Young Africans
  • Tanzanian Premier League: 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14
  • Tusker Cup: 2007, 2009
;Azam
Individual