Simba SC announce boycott of Kariakoo derby against Yanga over rule violations
What you need to know:
- In an official statement, Simba claimed that their players were denied access to train at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, contrary to Article 17 (45) of the 2024 Premier League regulations, which grants the visiting team the right to hold a final training session at the match venue at the scheduled kick-off time
Dar es Salaam. Msimbazi Street giants Simba SC have announced that they will not play today’s, March 8, 2025 highly anticipated traditional rival match against Young Africans (Yanga) , citing violations of the Mainland Tanzania Premier League regulations.
In an official statement, Simba claimed that their players were denied access to train at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, contrary to Article 17 (45) of the 2024 Premier League regulations, which grants the visiting team the right to hold a final training session at the match venue at the scheduled kick-off time.
Simba management alleged that they were blocked from training at the stadium by Yanga security personnel, despite efforts to have the regulation enforced. In a statement issued in the early hours of March 8, 2025, Simba clarified that their decision was made in response to the breach of regulations.
"Simba Sports Club are deeply disappointed by the unfair treatment of our team ahead of the NBC Premier League match against Yanga, where we are the visiting team.
"According to Article 17 (45) of the Mainland Premier League regulations, the visiting team has the right to train at the match venue at least once before the match day at the scheduled kick-off time. Simba was deliberately denied this right despite arriving at the stadium at the correct time.
"In the midst of this standoff, Simba were informed by the Stadium Manager that he had no instructions to allow training without the match commissioner’s approval. Despite the commissioner’s arrival, Yanga security personnel stormed Simba’s convoy, causing disruptions and preventing the team from entering the stadium for training.
"After more than two hours of failed attempts to resolve the situation, Simba players were forced to leave the stadium premises for security reasons, with all incidents recorded as evidence.
"Due to this violation of match regulations, Simba will not participate in the game, and we reserve all our rights. We urge authorities to take appropriate action against those responsible for this situation," the statement read.
