Mohamed ‘Banka’ Issa, who was voted the Tanzania young player of the year in 2016/17, has been sanctioned with a 14-month ban after returning an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for marijuana. A series of tweets by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) revealed that Issa tested positive during a 9 December 2017 Zanzibar Heroes 0-0 draw against Kenya’s Harambee Stars, which enabled the Tanzanian club to qualify for the semi finals of the 2017 CECAFA [Council of East and Central Africa Football Association] Senior Challenge Cup.

His urine test was taken under the auspices of the Africa Zone V Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO), as the match was held in Machakos, a town in southern Kenya. His sample was transported to the Doha Laboratory, which is accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and following the analysis results, Issa accepted the charges. The TFF said that the judicial committee considered a 14-month ban appropriate, due to Issa’s prompt admission of the charge and his young age.

It is understood that his sanction has been backdated to the date of his AAF, which means that he will be able to resume football in February next year. However, considering his young age as well as his transfer to Young African Sports Club (YANGA) whilst the results of his AAF were awaited, the judicial committee has permitted him to begin training with his new club at the end of this year.