Yanga confirm Rayon Sport friendly, stand firm on snubbing Simba June 15 clash

Dar es Salaam. Young Africans SC (Yanga) have officially confirmed their participation in a special international friendly match against Rwandan giants Rayon Sports on June 15, 2025.

The encounter, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, is part of the celebrations to inaugurate Rayon Sports’ new stadium.

This confirmation from the Jangwani Street-based club means they will not be available for the rescheduled Mainland Tanzania Premier League clash against Simba SC, which was originally set for March 8, 2025, but later postponed by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB).

Yanga’s firm stand comes despite continued speculation on social media that the club has reconsidered its position and may agree to play the derby match in Zanzibar.

A top Yanga official, however, dismissed these claims, reiterating the club’s stance and confirming that preparations are underway for the Kigali trip.

“We want to be clear – we have not changed our decision. The leadership, with full support from our members and fans, has agreed not to play the Simba match on June 15,” said the official, speaking exclusively to The Citizen.

“We did not convene any additional meeting to review the issue. Our last discussion on this was held at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium when we met with the Minister for Sports. Nothing has changed since then,” she added.

Yanga have maintained that they will only honour their remaining league fixtures against Tanzania Prisons and Dodoma Jiji FC, and have ruled out any involvement in the Simba-Yanga derby regardless of mounting public debate and pressure.

Background to the dispute

The league match between Simba and Yanga was initially scheduled for March 8, 2025, a fixture that always draws significant attention across East Africa. However, the TFF and TPLB postponed the game, citing logistical and safety concerns.

The decision triggered a backlash from Yanga, who felt unfairly treated and promptly filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, demanding to be awarded three points.

Yanga argued that the postponement violated league regulations and disrupted their competitive rhythm.

However, CAS dismissed the case, ruling that Yanga had not exhausted all local judicial remedies before seeking international arbitration. The court emphasized that domestic procedures must be followed first, which include appeals through TFF’s own judicial bodies.

Yanga, however, expressed distrust in the neutrality of the TFF’s legal organs. Club leaders openly criticized the federation, alleging systemic bias and unfair treatment that they believe undermines their efforts on and off the pitch.

Kigali clash takes center stage

While the Simba match continues to generate controversy, Yanga have shifted their full focus to the upcoming international engagement.

The Kigali trip not only gives the club a chance to build international relations but also allows them to support a fellow East African club in celebrating a major milestone.

“This is a big occasion for Rayon Sports and Rwandan football in general. As regional giants, we are proud to be part of this historical moment,” said the club representative.

Preparations for the Kigali trip are reportedly progressing well, with Yanga expected to field a strong squad. The match is anticipated to attract a large crowd as fans in Rwanda look forward to welcoming one of East Africa’s most decorated teams.

Ongoing tension in the domestic scene

Back home, the refusal to honour the Simba match could present challenges for the league organizers. There is growing speculation about possible disciplinary actions from TFF and TPLB should Yanga fail to appear. However, the club remains unmoved, stating that their decision is final.

Observers warn that the continued standoff could damage the integrity of the competition, especially if punitive measures affect the league’s final standings or continental qualifications.

For now, Yanga's eye are set on Kigali, and unless something dramatic happens, the much-anticipated derby between Tanzania's two football giants will not be played this season.