Young Africans embark on journey to own CAF approved stadium

Tanzania Premier League champions Young Africans have launched a plan to built a stadium to host their matches, in the league, and the international stage.

The Citizens have been hiring Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam to host their assignments. However, according to President Hersi Ally Said, the club has now started the journey to own a stadium fully equipped with CAF standards.

 

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The club holds a long-standing rivalry with Simba SC, with whom they contest the Kariakoo derby, named after the district where both teams were founded. The rivalry was ranked fifth as one of the most famous African derbies.

Yanga to have history with modern stadium

“A few days ago, we gave a picture of the direction of the construction of our stadium. After the process, we found an investor, who will build our stadium,” Said told reporters on Saturday.

“The winner of the bid is the GSM Company under the President of the Companies Ghalib Said Mohamed. We held a meeting where we presented our needs to them.

“We are going to build a stadium that not only serves football but is a project that will carry other social responsibilities. This stadium will have the ability to be used for various events and activities.

“I assure you that we are going to build a stadium that reflects a creative theme that will accommodate various social needs, arts, entertainment and sports.”

Said added: “We have submitted to GSM the requirements for the stadium we need. We recognise there are four levels of CAF stadium standards. Level three is a stadium that can be played until the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League.

“Level four can host until the final stage. We aim to be between the third and fourth levels of stadium quality. We need a modern stadium that will meet all national and international requirements.”

‘This project is a project of Yanga SC’

The Yanga supremo continued: “The fourth step will be the implementation of this project. We need one week to complete the requirements and goals that we have agreed on.

“After the second session, the third session we are going to make history. GSM has said the day he signs the contract; he will ensure work begins immediately. GSM is ready and has a great desire to start and complete this great history for our club.

“We as a club assure the GSM President we will provide him with ample cooperation. We recognise the thirst of our fans, who desire to see our club have its own stadium. Let me assure the citizens we are going to have a better and more modern stadium.

 

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“We are going to make history by having the best stadium ever.”

Said concluded: “This project is a project of Yanga SC and GSM; it is not the property of anyone but the property of these two institutions. This project will continue to be built whether I am the President of Yanga or not.

“GSM and Yanga are responsible for ensuring that this project is completed under any leader who will be the President of Yanga. I have built a good and strong foundation that will achieve this without relying on anyone.

“If it happens that I am not the President of Yanga, whoever takes this position should know that he has a responsibility to ensure the dream of the people comes true.”

Yanga has won 31 Tanzanian Premier League titles and number of domestic Cups, and have participated in multiple CAF Champions League editions. They have won the CECAFA Club Championship five times.