Yanga maintain refusal to participate in rescheduled match against Simba

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Mainland champions Young Africans (Yanga) have reaffirmed their stance that they will not participate in a rescheduled league match against their arch-rivals, Simba SC.

This was revealed by a club official following a meeting with the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, held on Thursday March 27,2025 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister Hamis Mwinjuma, also known as Mwana FA, Permanent Secretary Gerson Msigwa, and officials from the National Sports Council (NSC).

The Yanga official stated that the club maintain its position that they should be awarded victory in match number 184, which was postponed by the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) after Simba announced their decision not to play. Simba claimed Yanga had prevented them from using Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for a pre-match training session a day before the fixture.

Simba formally informed TPLB and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) that they would not participate in the match, citing a violation of their right to a pre-match training session, as outlined in league regulations. Yanga, however, insisted that the game should proceed as scheduled in accordance with the rules.

Later that afternoon, TPLB released an official statement citing Simba’s concerns and invoked Section 34.1 (1.3) of the regulations, which allows for postponements under emergency circumstances.

Yanga strongly rejected the decision, which also sparked criticism from football stakeholders questioning whether TPLB had followed the proper procedures.

"We have maintained our stance on the matter after presenting the relevant documents to the minister. We did not discuss taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as it was not on the meeting’s agenda," said the Yanga official.

Yanga President Hersi Saidi confirmed that the club had submitted its concern to Minister Kabudi and engaged in discussions regarding the matter. 

"We presented our key concerns about the match against Simba and what transpired. As Yanga leaders, our primary duty is to protect the club’s interests," said Hersi.

According to him, Minister Kabudi clarified that the meeting was not meant to make a final decision but rather to seek a resolution to the issue.

Hersi also reassured Yanga members and supporters that the club would continue to fight for its rights.

Minister Kabudi also held separate discussions with Simba officials, led by Chairman Murtaza Mangungu, as well as representatives from TPLB and TFF.