The incident has also brought attention to security arrangements during major club events, with questions being raised over access control measures and whether surveillance systems were in place to monitor the movement of trophies and other valuable items
Dar es Salaam. Questions continue to surround the disappearance of Young Africans’ (Yanga) 2025 Community Shield trophy after club president Hersi Said revealed that the silverware had been stolen, prompting debate over when and how the incident occurred.
Hersi made the revelation during Yanga’s General Meeting held in Dar es Salaam on August 2, 2026, expressing disappointment over the loss of the trophy and confirming that the club had contacted the relevant authorities to seek a replacement.
“Can you believe someone stole our 2025 Community Shield during our championship parade? Trophies are won on the pitch, not stolen,” Hersi said.
The statement, however, has left several unanswered questions, particularly regarding the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft.
According to Hersi, the trophy disappeared during Yanga’s championship parade held on July 4, 2026. However, footage from the celebrations appears to show the Community Shield trophy being displayed throughout the procession, from the starting point at Karume to the final celebrations at the club’s headquarters in Jangwani.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged theft have raised further questions, including how an individual could leave with a large trophy unnoticed despite the presence of thousands of supporters, club officials, security personnel, and members of the media who covered the event.
Another issue being debated is why the Community Shield trophy was allegedly targeted when Yanga displayed several other major trophies during the parade, including five consecutive Mainland Premier League titles and the 2026 Mapinduzi Cup.
The incident has also brought attention to security arrangements during major club events, with questions being raised over access control measures and whether surveillance systems were in place to monitor the movement of trophies and other valuable items.
There are also questions over whether the matter was reported to the police, as Hersi only confirmed that the club had engaged the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) regarding the possibility of obtaining a replacement trophy.
TFF, however, clarified that once a trophy is presented to a club, it becomes the property of that club, and the federation has no responsibility for investigating its disappearance.
“The trophy belongs to the club after it has been handed over. Any issue concerning its loss or theft is the responsibility of the club,” a TFF official said.
The federation’s position means Yanga will have to address the matter internally and follow the necessary procedures with relevant authorities if the trophy is to be recovered or replaced.
The controversy comes at a time when Yanga are preparing for the 2026/27 season, with the Community Shield match against traditional rivals Simba scheduled for August 12 in Zanzibar.
The match will provide the first opportunity for the two giants to compete for silverware in the new campaign.
