Maulid has not played for Tanzania in a year

Said Maulid came to the unusual decision after being stripped of his Tanzanian citizenship early last year.

The attacking midfielder had played for the Taifa Stars and Dar-Es-Salaam club Yanga SC until an investigation by the Immigration Department declared that he was of Congolese nationality.

Maulid was subsequently kicked out of the the national team that had a disastrous Nations Cup qualifying campaign.

And his current problems are compounded by the Immigration Department's order that he must get a Congolese passport before he can resume his club career with Yanga.

I am facing these problems because of jealous people Said Maulid

But the player insists that he comes from Kigoma, an area of Tanzania which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"I can't get a Congolese passport because I am not Congolese. I am a Tanzanian," Maulid told BBC Sport.

"I know my current problems are happening because there are jealous people who do not want to see me playing for Yanga."

Maulid is angry that leading Tanzanian government officials have made no effort to help him.

"Tanzania had won no trophy until 2001, when we won the Cecafa Castle Cup and I was declared the player of the tournament.

"The prime minister and the sports minister shook my hand and praised me for my performance.

"But they seem to have forgotten this, and they are not interested in helping me out of this difficult situation.

"For now, I am going back to my home region to engage in fishing activities around Lake Tanganyika," Maulid said.