Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yanga, Andrew Mtine, leaves the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) office in Dar es Salaam. Mtine submitted a claim letter regarding the Federation Cup prize money yesterday. PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA
Dar es Salaam. The ongoing dispute over Federation Cup prize money between the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and Young Africans (Yanga) continues, following the failure of both parties to reach a consensus today, June 11, 2025
TFF had requested Yanga officials to meet with their accounts department to review various payment records before taking any further steps.
In response, Yanga's Chief Executive Officer, Andre Mtine, visited the TFF offices but did not sit down with the accounting officers. Instead, he submitted a letter and left.
Prior to Mtine’s visit to TFF headquarters, Yanga had claimed that the football governing body still owed them Sh226 million — the remaining balance after various deductions made by TFF.
Mtine said that there was nothing to discuss apart from demanding the Federation Cup prize money from the federation.
“TFF should have paid us our prize money immediately after the final match, not withheld it to cover alleged debts,” Mtine said.
“How can you withhold prize money simply because there’s an outstanding debt? What we want from TFF is to be paid. The competition is over, and we need our prize money.”
On the other hand, TFF’s Information Officer, Cliford Ndimbo, explained that the meeting was intended to verify the claims before taking further action, but they couldn’t proceed as the Yanga official was unwilling to engage in discussion.
“You can’t do anything when the official just drops off a letter and leaves. Nothing is progressing on the matter,” said Ndimbo.
He added that Mtine refused to meet with TFF Secretary General Wilfred Kidao to discuss the issue and instead opted only to submit the letter.
“Kidao wanted to talk to them, but after they entered the office, they simply handed over the letter and walked out. They didn’t want to discuss anything,” said Ndimbo.
When asked how much the FA Cup champion receives, Ndimbo stated that no official announcement had ever been made regarding any increase in prize money, as Yanga claims.
“When CRDB entered into an agreement with TFF, everything was clear — the funds were meant for operational purposes, and we are the ones who decide how they are used. So, we never announced any increase in prize money,” he explained.
