Yanga title charge on hold as match against JKT Tanzania postponed

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Mainland Premier League match between JKT Tanzania and defending champions Young Africans (Yanga), originally scheduled for today, April 23, at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium in Mbweni, was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The unplayable field, caused by recent bad weather, forced match officials to call off the game according to clause number 17(39) of the Tanzanian football governing body's regulations.

This clause states that matches must be postponed if the pitch is unplayable due to unrectifiable weather conditions.

The same clause also allows for postponements due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of both teams, as confirmed by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and Tanzania Premier League Board.

Clause 40 further clarifies that the match referee holds the ultimate authority to decide whether the pitch is suitable for play under normal or emergency conditions caused by rain or other factors.

Match commissioner Kamwanga Tambwe confirmed the decision after consulting with match officials and league board representatives. "The pitch did not meet the required standards as per the regulations," said Tambwe. "Therefore, we have postponed the match until further notice."

Tambwe elaborated that if the match had begun, even for a minute, it would have been postponed and resumed the following day at 10 am.

Looking ahead, Yanga will face Coastal Union at the Azam Complex Stadium on Saturday at 6 pm.

JKT Tanzania will host Mtibwa Sugar at the Maj. Gen. Isamuhyo Stadium at 4 pm on the same day.

Currently, Yanga lead the league table with 58 points from 22 matches.

A win against Coastal Union would widen the gap against second-placed Azam FC, who have 54 points from 24 matches.

JKT Tanzania sit in 15th place with 22 points from 22 matches and are in the relegation zone, needing a strong performance to avoid going down.