Egyptian referees to officiate Yanga SC versus Simba SC Kariakoo derby

Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania.

For the first time in the history of the Tanzanian Mainland Premier League, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has appointed an all-Egyptian officiating team for the highly anticipated match between sworn rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) and Simba SC, scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Amin Mohammed Omar will be the referee, assisted by Mahmoud Ahmed and Samir Gamal. The fourth official will be Ahmed Mahrous, also from Egypt.

This will be the first time in the history of the league that foreign referees will officiate a Tanzanian Mainland Premier League match, and according to TFF, the decision is aimed at curbing poor officiating with the fixture set to decide the 2024/25 league title.

List of referees set to officiate derby.

The derby was first planned for March 8, however, it was postponed following Simba’s complaint to TFF and the Tanzanian Premier League Board (TPLB) after they had accused home team Yanga of denying them access to train at the match venue, a day prior to the fixture.

The derby was then rescheduled for June 15, and this time Yanga stuck their ground saying they will not take part until the concerns they had raised with TFF were discussed and solved.

TPLB were later forced to find another date for the derby, and the sides will now face off on Wednesday. Currently, Yanga are topping the 16-team league table with 79 points, one ahead of Simba.

A win for Yanga will take their tally to 82 points, while a win for the Msimbazi Reds will increase their tally to 81. Yanga stand the best chance to be crowned for the third successive season if they secure a win in the derby.