"From Dodoma to the top of African football — my journey, vision, and leadership."
My name is Hersi Ally Said, born on July 27, 1984, in Dodoma—the capital city of this beautiful country, and the proud home of the Swahili people: Tanzania.
Today, I have the privilege of serving several positions that allow me to serve both my country and the continent. I am the President of Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga)- one of the most storied football institutions in Africa; the Chairman of the African Club Association (ACA) - a platform committed to empowering clubs and advancing football across the continent; and the Director of Investment at GSM Group - a leading Tanzanian conglomerate involved in retail, real estate, logistics, and manufacturing. These three roles are more than titles to me—they are platforms through which I strive to champion excellence, integrity, and innovation in football, business, and beyond.
I'm an engineer by profession, but over the years, my path has taken me deep into the world of football and business—two areas where I've found both purpose and passion.
I believe in the power of young people and have trusted youth to lead in key areas, especially in driving our digital transformation. From embracing data-driven strategies to expanding our online platforms, we've positioned YANGA as not only a competitive team, but one of the most forward-thinking and professionally managed clubs in African football.
My vision for YANGA has always gone beyond just winning trophies. Together with an incredible team, we've focused on transforming the club from the inside out—modernizing our systems, strengthening governance, and building a brand that reflects both heritage and ambition.
Beyond my role at YANGA, I currently serve as the inaugural Chairman of the African Club Association (ACA), a newly established branch of CAF dedicated to representing and advancing the interests of football clubs across the continent, where I work with other clubs across the continent to push for better structures, more opportunities, and stronger representation. I'm also part of the CAF Executive Committee, where I help shape the broader direction of football in Africa—making sure clubs have a real voice at the table.
Outside the world of football, I serve as the Director of Investment at GSM Group of Companies—one of Tanzania's leading conglomerates with a footprint in retail, logistics, real estate, and manufacturing. In this role, I help oversee strategic projects that fuel growth across multiple sectors. It's a responsibility that challenges me daily and gives me the opportunity to contribute to Tanzania's economic development in a meaningful way.
More than anything, I'm a proud husband and father of four. My family keeps me grounded, and they remind me why I do what I do. Through football, business, and community, my goal remains clear: to help build systems that create lasting impact—and to be part of writing a better story for Tanzania and for Africa.
In 2022, I was honored to be elected as the President of Young Africans Sports Club, one of the most historic and beloved football clubs in Africa with a majority vote from the Members AGM.
From the moment I took office, I made it my mission to transform the club in every way possible. Together with a passionate team, we’ve improved how the club is run, refreshed our brand, embraced the digital world, and grown our business partnerships.
Under my leadership, Young Africans SC has enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its history. We’ve won three back-to-back Premier League titles (2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024) , two FA Cups (2022 and 2023), and made a big mark on the continental stage — reaching the final of the CAF Confederation Cup (2023) , the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League (2024) and the most recent Muungano Cup (2025). These wins are not just trophies, but proof of the hard work and belief we've put into building a club that represents Tanzania with pride across Africa.
In 2023, I was selected to be the first-ever Chairman of the African Club Association (ACA) — a newly formed organization under CAF (Confederation of African Football). This body was created to represent and fight for the rights and needs of football clubs across the African continent.
Through this role, I work closely with club leaders from every part of Africa to push for fairer policies, better business opportunities for clubs, and stronger governance. Our goal is clear — to lift African club football to the same standards seen globally and ensure clubs are respected, well-managed, and financially strong.
Beyond football, Eng. Hersi also serves as the Director of Investment at GSM, one of Tanzania's most influential investment groups. In this role, he oversee multi-million-dollar projects across diverse sectors, including:
Eng. Hersi's strategic leadership ensures sustainable growth, innovation, and long-term profitability across GSM's business portfolio while supporting its continued expansion into new and emerging sectors.