Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga SC) has officially declared that they will not participate in the upcoming Kariakoo Derby against Simba SC, a decision reaffirmed on May 5, 2025. This announcement comes amidst ongoing disputes regarding the match’s scheduling and the circumstances surrounding its postponement.
Background of the Dispute
The Kariakoo Derby was initially scheduled for March 8, 2025, but was postponed after Simba SC claimed they were denied access to Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for their pre-match training session. Yanga viewed this as a deliberate tactic by Simba to disrupt their momentum and argued that Simba should automatically lose the match due to their inability to prepare adequately.
They contended that league regulations warranted a walkover in favor of Yanga because of this situation. Despite these claims, the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) reviewed the circumstances and approved the postponement, which has led to a protracted dispute between the two clubs. The TPLB stated that further investigation into the incidents leading up to the match was necessary before proceeding.
Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
InvolvementOn May 1, 2025, CAS advised Yanga to exhaust domestic legal channels before escalating their grievances internationally. However, Yanga expressed skepticism about local football governance and accused Tanzanian football authorities of “persistent injustice” and favoritism towards certain teams.
They reiterated their refusal to play in what they termed an unjust environment, stating: βOur position regarding match number 184 remains unchangedβwe will not participate in that match under any circumstances.β This strong stance reflects their commitment to contesting what they perceive as unfair treatment within Tanzanian football.
TPLB and TFF Responses
In response to Yanga’s decision, TPLB Chairperson Steven Mnguto denied any allegations of favoritism and emphasized that no team had received special treatment. He criticized Yangaβs choice to escalate matters to CAS instead of resolving them through internal mechanisms.
Meanwhile, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has indicated that it is reviewing the situation and will issue an official statement soon[2].ConclusionAs it stands, Yanga SC remains firm in its refusal to participate in the rescheduled Kariakoo Derby against Simba SC. This decision highlights significant tensions within Tanzanian football governance and raises questions about fairness and regulatory transparency as both clubs navigate this contentious episode.
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