Tanzanian giants, Young Africans, have issued a firm statement regarding the long-awaited Dar es Salaam Derby against their arch-rivals Simba SC, who are led by Fadlu Davids.
The ongoing dispute involving the Tanzanian Premier League Board, the National Football Federation, Yanga, and Simba shows no signs of resolution, as the Wananchi continue to refuse to participate in the rescheduled fixture.
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The Tanzanian Premier League Board had announced that the Kariakoo Derby would be replayed on 15 June 2025, following the postponement of the original match scheduled for 8 March. However, Yanga have declined to honour the new date.
Their stance stems from Simba’s refusal to play the original fixture, reportedly due to being denied access to the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for a training session the night before the match.
While Yanga have not publicly detailed their reasons for boycotting the rescheduled match, it was suggested the club insists that the federation must take disciplinary action against Simba for failing to fulfill the original fixture.
In a statement released on Monday, Yanga reaffirmed their refusal to face the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup finalists until their concerns are addressed.
"The leadership of Young Africans Sports Club would like to inform the public that, on June 7, 2025, we received a letter from the Tanzania Premier League Board to attend a special meeting to discuss issues related to game number 184 of the NBC Premier League, YANGA against Simba," reads the club's statement.
"Our Club's leadership heeded the call and participated in the meeting held today, Monday June 9, 2025 at the Tanzania League Board offices located at NSSF Mafao House, Dar Es Salaam, starting at 4:00 am.
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"After several hours of discussion, the Club Leaders presented our Club's position that we will not participate in game number 184 scheduled for June 15, 2025 until our written demands are met.
"We wish the League Board and the National Football Federation all the best in addressing our aspirations for a bright future in the development of football in Tanzania."
Yanga currently sit at the top of the league standings with 73 points, holding a narrow one-point lead over Simba, with just three matches remaining for each side.
