Tanzanian football fans are pushing for English Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United to headline the opening of the new Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha, after reports emerged that President Samia Suluhu Hassan was pursuing a possible match between the two clubs.

Journalist Uwezo Ali brought the prospect to public attention in a Facebook post on Saturday, October 31, saying the Tanzanian president was in communication with both clubs over a potential high-profile fixture at the new facility.

Ali suggested that the match could form part of the stadium’s opening celebrations, presenting it as a possible opportunity for Tanzania to host one of the most recognisable rivalries in English football.

“Arsenal vs Manchester United could be heading to Tanzania!” Ali wrote.

He went on to say that President Samia was engaging the two clubs over the possibility of staging the encounter at the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha.

“Reports indicate that President Samia Suluhu Hassan is in communication with both Arsenal and Manchester United over a possible high-profile match at the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha, potentially as part of the stadium’s opening celebrations,” he added.

Ali also acknowledged that an official confirmation was still pending, while pointing to the excitement the prospect had generated among football fans in the region.

“However, no official announcement has been made yet. Football fans across East Africa are eagerly awaiting confirmation,” he wrote.

He then posed a question about the possibility of Tanzania hosting the two English clubs for the stadium’s opening.

“Could Tanzania be preparing to host one of the biggest football rivalries in the world? 🌍” Ali asked.

The prospect also caught the attention of Tanzanian influencer Samuel Kitangala, who appeared to raise the stakes by suggesting that Arsenal should instead face their city rivals Manchester City.

In a playful Facebook post, Kitangala said he wanted the new stadium to be inaugurated with an Arsenal-Manchester City encounter, using laughing emojis to underline the humorous nature of his suggestion.

“Hii yetu wazindue ‘Arsenal vs Manchester City’ 🤣🤣🤣🤣 msinambie naota ndoto ya mchana. Every thing is possible! Mchawi maokoto,” Kitangala wrote.

Kenya’s Bayern Munich and Ajax match

The calls from Tanzanian fans come as Kenya prepares to host German giants Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam in a high-profile friendly at the newly completed Raila Odinga International Stadium in Nairobi.

The two clubs are scheduled to meet on January 5, 2027, in a fixture expected to headline the opening celebrations of the 60,000-seater facility at Talanta Sports City along Ngong Road.

Bayern Munich’s participation has also attracted attention because of the expected presence of England captain and Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane, while the fixture is expected to give Kenyan fans an opportunity to watch some of Europe’s leading football names on home soil.

The planned encounter has generated discussion in Kenya, particularly over the decision to bring two European clubs to open the stadium instead of using the occasion to showcase local teams or the national side.

Against that backdrop, the reported possibility of Arsenal and Manchester United playing in Arusha has given Tanzanian fans an opportunity to imagine a similarly high-profile opening for their own new sporting facility.

The debate has gained another dimension following remarks by Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who said Manchester United and Arsenal could also face each other in Nairobi around June or July 2027, after the current Premier League season.