Yanga, Simba now to use Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for CAF matches
An aerial view of Benjamini Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam
What you need to know:
- According to the source, given their current statuses, the two teams cannot shift their venue to any of the neighbouring countries because of the limited time.
Dar es Salaam. The pressure engulfing giants, Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba, about the venue to host their CAF African Champions League matches has now been eased.
This is due to reports that the government has allowed the clubs to use the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The government issued a statement on December 22, 2023, about closing both Benjamin Mkapa and Uhuru stadiums for renovations.
It meant that Yanga and Simba were required to find alternative venues for their CAF Champions League matches following the closure of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Yanga, drawn in Group D of the CAF Champions League, are set to face CR Belouizdad of Algeria on February 24, while Simba, who are in Group A, are patiently awaiting their March 2 return leg against Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana.
However, the decision to close the venue seems to have been reversed following reports from sources within both the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the government that the two clubs have been instructed to continue their preparations for the matches through a letter from higher authorities.
The sources said Yanga and Simba had no alternative venues that could meet the CAF criteria other than the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
However, Yanga and Simba, according to the sources, have already submitted letters to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and CAF, informing the bodies that they will use the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Azam Complex, and CCM Kirumba as alternative venues in accordance with the rules and regulations of the CAF Champions League.
However, one of the two sources clarified that Azam Complex and the CCM Kirumba Stadium would not be used in the group stage of the CAF Champions League due to regulations, leaving only Benjamin Mkapa Stadium as a viable option.
"As per club licensing regulations, Yanga and Simba cannot use any venue other than the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. If they choose to use the New Amaan Sports Complex, they will have to get approval from CAF, which will take some time. Therefore, the only option is the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium," said the source.
According to the source, given their current statuses, the two teams cannot shift their venue to any of the neighbouring countries because of the limited time.
