AFTER months of swirling speculation and transfer rumours, Young Africans SC's midfield maestro Stephane Aziz Ki is finally set to depart the club, with Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club poised to land his signature.

The 29-year-old Burkina Faso international (pictured), who was born in Adjame, Ivory Coast, has reportedly reached an agreement to join Wydad Casablanca following successful negotiations between the Moroccan outfit and Young Africans. 

According to Moroccan publications, the two clubs resumed talks recently and have now finalized a deal for the talismanic playmaker.

Aziz Ki, who joined the Tanzanian champions in 2022, has been one of the standout performers in African club football over the past two seasons. 

His consistent performances have seen him attract interest from a host of top clubs across the continent, including South African powerhouses Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs. 

However, it is Wydad three-time CAF Champions League winners that have ultimately won the race for his signature.

Sources reveal that Wydad had shown interest in the midfielder during the January 2024 transfer window when South African tactician Rulani Mokwena was at the helm of the Moroccan club. 

Although those initial efforts fell through, the club’s hierarchy remained persistent. Reports indicate that Wydad president Hicham Ait Menna even attempted to initiate talks with Young Africans president Hersi Said during the 2023 CAF Awards ceremony.

On Sunday, the deal took a significant step forward. Young Africans used their 2-0 victory over JKT Tanzania in the Federation Cup semi-final to formally bid farewell to their midfield star. 

Aziz Ki was handed the captain's armband for the occasion, a symbolic gesture of appreciation from his teammates and the technical bench. Although assistant captain Dickson Job was also on the pitch, the honour was reserved for Aziz Ki as a tribute to his contributions.

Aziz Ki played 73 minutes before being substituted for Clatous Chama. As the final whistle blew, signaling Young Africans’ progression to the final, emotions ran high as players and club officials prepared for a short farewell ceremony to honor the midfielder. 

The team confirmed that the player would soon travel to Morocco to complete his medical and finalize personal terms with Wydad, as preparations for the 2025/26 season begin in earnest.

Wydad reportedly met Young Afrcans’ financial demands, edging out local rivals FAR Rabat in the race to secure the signature of the player widely regarded as the best in Tanzania. 

In addition to the financial package, Wydad are believed to have leveraged their participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as a compelling incentive to lure the attacking midfielder.

Aziz Ki’s departure marks the end of a golden era for Young Africans. Since his arrival in 2022, the Burkinabe has played 114 matches for the club, scoring 52 goals and providing 32 assists. His impact on the pitch has been immense, helping Young Africans secure nine trophies, including two Premier League titles, two Community Shields, two Federation Cups, the Muungano Cup, the Mapinduzi Cup, and the Toyota Cup.

Individually, he has collected two major accolades: the 2023/24 NBC Premier League Most Valuable Player award and the league’s Golden Boot, having netted 20 goals in that campaign. 

He was also a key figure in Young Africans’ historic run to the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup final, where they finished as runners-up. In the 2023/24 season alone, he was involved in 37 goals across all competitions -underscoring his indispensable role in the squad.

Aziz Ki leaves behind a legacy as one of the most influential foreign players to ever grace Tanzanian football. His blend of creativity, vision, and goal-scoring prowess turned him into a fan favourite at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and earned him admiration across the continent.

With Young Africans now bracing for life without their midfield engine, attention will turn to how the club plans to fill the void left by Aziz Ki. 

Meanwhile, the player embarks on a new chapter in North Africa, with Wydad Casablanca set to benefit from one of the continent’s most gifted midfielders.

His journey from Tanzania to Morocco symbolizes not just a career leap, but a testament to the growing reputation of the Tanzanian Premier League as a breeding ground for top-level talent in African football.