Aisha Masaka: Tanzanian Footballer Dances Through Injury Setbacks with Resilience and Passion

In the world of professional football, injuries are often an inevitable challenge. For Aisha Masaka, a Tanzanian forward playing for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League (WSL), they have defined the past year of her career. However, her determination and resilience are propelling her forward, both on and off the pitch.

Masaka, 21, has endured a tough start to her career in England. The forward, who should have been playing for Tanzania’s national team at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco, was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury sustained during the build-up. This setback came after a frustrating debut season with Brighton, which saw her sidelined for long stretches due to a shoulder injury sustained just minutes after making her WSL debut in November.

“I’ve had a lot of challenges,” Masaka admitted to BBC Sport Africa. “It’s not been a good season for me. But WSL is a big league, and I need more experience to keep improving.”

Despite missing out on playing time, Masaka found herself in the unique position of watching Brighton achieve their best-ever WSL finish, securing a fifth-place spot. Through this, she gained valuable insights from her experienced teammates, including Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris, both established players for the Lionesses.

“They are nice. They help young players like me,” Masaka said, adding that her time on the sidelines has helped her learn patience. “My time will come, and I will shine.”

Support from Brighton’s Community
While Masaka’s injury struggles have undoubtedly been challenging, she emphasizes that the mental and emotional toll has been easier to bear due to the support from her teammates and staff.

“I can miss my family and friends, but I’ve got good friends and staff here, so I’m not lonely,” she shared.

The path to European football has not been an easy one for Masaka. Hailing from Singida, Tanzania, she spent her youth career at Alliance Academy and later joined Yanga Princess in Dar es Salaam. Her journey to Europe began in 2022 with a move to Swedish side Hacken, before securing her move to Brighton in 2024.

Adapting to life in a new country and league was a significant step for Masaka, but she’s found solace in a modern way of staying connected to her roots — social media.

“I love to dance, and social media is my way to express that. It makes me happy,” she explained. Masaka has gathered hundreds of thousands of followers on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, where her dance videos, often set to songs by Tanzanian superstars like Diamond Platnumz, garner widespread attention.

For Masaka, social media is more than just a way to entertain her followers. It’s a platform where she can share her experiences and connect with fans. While she’s not immune to online criticism, she maintains a positive attitude.

“I don’t care about negative comments. I just read them and move on,” she said.

Role Model and Trailblazer for Tanzanian Football
Masaka’s presence in England’s top tier has elevated her profile back in Tanzania. As the first Tanzanian woman to play top-flight football in England, she has become a trailblazer for young girls aspiring to follow in her footsteps.

“I inspire many young players, and they see me as a role model,” Masaka said. “It’s a big step for anyone, and it shows them that they can reach high levels too.”

Tanzania’s women’s football scene has grown significantly in recent years. Masaka highlighted that five years ago, no professional Tanzanian players were competing abroad. Now, however, many players from the country are playing at the professional level outside of Tanzania, with the rise of the women’s game contributing to the country’s increasing football success.

Wafcon Hopes and Masaka’s Future
While Masaka missed this year’s Wafcon due to her injury, Tanzania’s women’s national team — the Twiga Stars — are focused on qualifying for next year’s tournament. Despite being at the bottom of their group in Morocco, the team secured their first-ever point at the tournament, drawing with defending champions South Africa. Masaka believes that the growth of women’s football in Tanzania is only just beginning.

“If you look back five years ago, no one from Tanzania was playing professionally abroad. But now, more players are doing so,” Masaka said, excited about the future of the sport in her home country.

With her injury setbacks behind her, Masaka is focused on returning to full fitness and continuing her journey in the WSL. She is committed to proving that with hard work, anything is possible.

“I’m very proud of how far I’ve come, and I will work hard to show that everything is achievable,” Masaka concluded. “When you have goals, you can go far.”