Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania.
Simba SC have issued a strong statement confirming that they will not honour the eagerly awaited Kariakoo derby against Young Africans (Yanga SC) at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.
According to Simba, they will only participate in the fixture if action is taken against their bitter rivals Yanga after they were denied access to train at the match venue ahead of the third Kariakoo derby of the current season.
Here is the statement from Simba obtained by Pan-Africa Football;
“Simba is very disappointed with the unfriendly behavior from Yanga ahead of our league derby slated for Saturday at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium,” read part of the statement seen by Pan-Africa Football.
“According to Article 17(45) of the rules governing the Tanzanian league, the visiting team as the right to train at the matchday venue, at least once before the date and time of the game.
Statement from Simba SC.
“But forcefully, Simba were denied access to the match venue, as per the rules. Simba were informed by the stadium manager that he was not directed to allow the team to train at the venue. Simba’s entourage was also attacked by Yanga while waiting to access the venue.
“Simba’s efforts to get a solution over the matter did not materialise and they were forced to stay outside the match venue for more than two hours before they made the wise decision to leave the matchday venue because of insecurity reasons.
“Following the incident, and the breaking of the rules by the home team, denying the away team chance to train at the match venue, Simba will not participate in the derby until justice prevails. Simba calls on the league body to take action against all those involved.”
Simba have lost to Yanga already twice this season. The first defeat came in the Community Shield final where Yanga won 2-1 before the first round fixture of the league which Simba lost 1-0 courtesy of an own goal.
Last season, Yanga sealed a double over Simba, winning the first round 5-1 before beating them 2-1 in the reverse fixture. In the previous campaign, after the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw in the first round meeting, Simba recovered to win the second round 2-1.
In the last seven league matches, Simba have only managed to beat Yanga once, while Yanga have registered three wins, with the other three ending in draws.
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