Ligi Kuu Bara: Simba SC sends apology to fans after snubbing Yanga SC derby

Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania Media.

Simba SC have maintained they have no regrets on their decision not to honour the eagerly-awaited Tanzanian Mainland Premier League derby against Young Africans (Yanga SC) which was scheduled for Saturday.

The decision came after a dispute arose when the Msimbazi Reds were denied entry to the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for their final training session before the match on Friday. The incident sparked protests from Simba's management, who claimed it violated league regulations and later issued a statement saying they will not honour the fixture.

Simba’s complaint letter was letter followed by a response from the Tanzanian Premier League Board (TPLB), who went ahead to postpone the Kariakoo derby and further vowed to do thorough investigations over the incident.

Simba Media Officer Ahmed Ally issued a statement explaining why they are not regretting on the decision and further asked club fans to accept it saying it meant good for the club.

“My fellow Simba fans, let me start by apologising for the inconvenience you got today (Saturday),” Ally said in the statement obtained by Pan-Africa Football. “Sincerely let me give my apologise to my fellow Simba fans, who travelled from different provinces to watch today's match.

“It is important that we understand that the decisions made by our leaders was in the interest of our club and the interest of our football, therefore, we the fans have no choice but to accept them.

“Already the football authorities have issued an official announcement about the postponement of the game, so as Simba fans, we have to respect that announcement and wait for the ruling from the investigations.”

The letter concluded: “Those, who have already reached the stadium, let me take this opportunity to urge you to go back home and those in the provinces if you will start your journey, I wish you a safe journey, and may God make you arrive safely.”

According to TPLB, a decision on the game will be issued in due course with a new date for the derby set to be announced.