Exclusive: Yanga SC refuse Simba SC match proposal

Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania.

Despite the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) issuing a new date for the unplayed Mainland Premier League Kariakoo derby, champions Young Africans (Yanga SC) have maintained their stance that they will not honour the game against Simba SC.

On Tuesday, TPLB rescheduled the fixture for June 15 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The match was originally scheduled for March 8 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam but was postponed by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and TPLB, citing serious concerns over safety, security, and integrity.

A top Yanga official has confirmed with Pan-Africa Football that they will not honour the game until they get justice from their case, in which they are demanding to be awarded the match.

“Yanga will not play Simba again this season. We don’t have any league matches left to play against Simba. Our stance remains. We are the ones who deserve to be awarded the match,” the source, who did not want to be named, told Pan-Africa Football.

“Our position has not changed, even with the new date for the derby, our stance on the fixture remains: we will not play Simba. Nothing will move us to play the game against Simba. It is a club decision, and it should be respected.

“We urge our fans to stay calm and continue to help us fight the injustice being witnessed, people breaking laws governing our game, and they want to get away with it. We stay firm and committed to our stand.”

The Msimbazi Reds lodged a complaint with TPLB, accusing Yanga, the home team, of denying them access to train at the matchday venue ahead of the contest. As per the league’s rules, Simba had arrived at Benjamin Mkapa a day before the derby, ready to have a feel of the ground, but they were locked out.

Four days ago, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed an appeal filed by Yanga, which sought to be awarded three points and three goals following the postponement of the derby.