Fresh chapter in Zanzibar: Derrick Kakooza eyes revival with URA FC at Mapinduzi Cup

URA FC’s 2026 Mapinduzi Cup campaign in Zanzibar has also opened a potential redemption for striker Derrick Kakooza, who was named in the Tax Collectors’ squad for the ongoing tournament.

The former Police FC forward is keen to reignite his career after a quiet spell that saw him last turn out for KF Tërbuni Pukë in Albania’s third tier during the previous season.

Kakooza has been out of competitive action since the closing stages of that campaign and is now using the Mapinduzi Cup as a platform to regain sharpness and confidence.

Kakooza’s name once resonated strongly on the continental stage after he lit up the 2021 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.

That blistering form earned him international recognition and paved the way for moves across Europe and Africa.

His journey has since taken him to Valmiera in Latvia, Finland’s KuPS, Egypt’s ENPPI SC, and later Ethiopia Coffee SC, whom he joined in September 2023, before the recent spell in Albania.

Meanwhile, URA FC got off to a positive start under new head coach Hussein Mbalangu.

The Tax Collectors kicked off their Mapinduzi Cup journey on New Year’s Eve with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zanzibar champions Mlandege FC, courtesy of an early strike from Fred Amaku before drawing 1-1 with Singida Black Stars in their second match of group A.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.