Mbwana Samatta: First Tanzanian to play in EPL scores (Photos)

Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - February 1, 2020 Aston Villa's Mbwana Samatta celebrates scoring their first goal. [REUTERS/Peter Nicholls] 

Kenyan and Hollywood sensation Lupita Nyong’o once said that “No matter where you are from your dreams are valid.”

Lupita’s inspirational quote came into play as the first Tanzanian national to play in the English Premier League, Mbwana Samatta, scored a header for Aston Villa in the 70th minute against Bournemouth.

In a tantalising Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, the ball fell to Mbwana Samatta (Aston Villa) after a few unlucky rebounds and he scored a simple header into the middle of the net sending social media into a meltdown.

February 1, 2020, Aston Villa's Mbwana Samatta in action with Bournemouth's Simon Francis. [Reuters/Andrew Couldridge]

Bournemouth, however, won the match 2-1 after Philip Billing and centre back Nathan Ake netted two goals in the first half.

February 1, 2020, Aston Villa's Mbwana Samatta scores their first goal. [REUTERS/Peter Nicholls]

The win ensured Bournemouth climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone, despite being reduced to 10 men for the majority of the second half.

Jefferson Lerma, who found himself on a yellow card inside the opening 20 minutes, was sent off for the hosts early in the second half after he fouled Villa midfielder Jack Grealish deep inside his own half.

The Cherries leapfrogged Villa and moved up to 16th in the table.

Aston Villa completed the signing of Mbwana Samatta from Genk for a reported £8.5 million ($11 million) fee on January 20.