Yanga demand victory after postponed derby, call for reform

Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga SC) have officially lodged a complaint with the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) over the controversial postponement of their Mainland Premier League match against Simba SC, originally scheduled for March 8, 2025, at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, insisting they should be awarded victory.

Additionally, Yanga SC’s Executive Committee, under the leadership of club president Hersi Said, held an emergency online meeting on March 9, 2025, and resolved not to participate in any rescheduled match for fixture number 184, regardless of the new date.

The committee also expressed its loss of confidence in the Premier League Committee, led by Steven Mguto and Secretary Almas Kasongo, urging the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to dissolve the committee and appoint new, impartial, and competent leaders for the betterment of Tanzanian football.

The club cited continued violations and failure to uphold league regulations as reasons for this stance. Match preparations and Simba’s rule violation According to Yanga SC’s statement, the club followed all necessary procedures in preparing for the match, including attending the official Match Coordination Meeting (MCM) on March 7, 2025, at 8:00 AM at Spice Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

The meeting was attended by Yanga SC representatives, match officials, security personnel, referees’ assessors, the match commissioner, and officials from the Premier League Board.

However, in a surprising turn of events, on the night of March 7, 2025, Simba SC arrived at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium with several vehicles intending to conduct pre-match training.

“They did so without following the required procedures to secure permission as outlined in the League Board’s regulations. This includes submitting their request during the MCM and informing the match commissioner, stadium manager, and host team, Yanga SC,” the statement read.

As a result of failing to provide prior notice or follow proper protocol, stadium authorities denied Simba SC access. Simba SC then opted to leave the venue. 

League confusion and last-minute postponement On the night before match day, March 8, 2025, Simba SC publicly declared that they would not participate in the fixture, citing their inability to train at the venue.

This announcement caused concern among fans, prompting Premier League Board Chairman Steven Mguto to assure the public on the morning of March 8, 2025, that the match (fixture number 184) would proceed as scheduled.

However, later that afternoon, the Premier League Committee, led by Steven Mguto and Secretary Almas Kasongo, announced the postponement of match number 184—contradicting league regulations.

Yanga’s stand on the situation Following these events, Yanga SC’s Executive Committee has made the following declarations: Yanga SC should be awarded victory as stipulated in league regulations when an opposing team fails to appear for a scheduled match. Yanga SC will not participate in any rescheduled match for fixture number 184, regardless of the new date.

Yanga SC have lost confidence in the Premier League Committee, led by Steven Mguto and Secretary Almas Kasongo.

The club call on the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to dissolve the committee and appoint new, impartial, and competent leaders to uphold fairness in Tanzanian football.

Appreciation First and foremost, Yanga SC expresses its sympathies to its members, fans, and football stakeholders who traveled from various parts of the world to witness the much-anticipated match.

The club urged all its members, fans, and supporters worldwide to remain calm while the club follows due processes to ensure football regulations are upheld. The fight for justice will continue.