Simba, Yanga fail to respect Kariako derby: Who was right or wrong?
The Kariako derby did not hold as planned on Saturday, March 8, due to due to discrepancies surrounding Simba’s pre-match warm-up at the game’s official venue.
In an official statement, Simba claimed that their players were denied access to train at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, contrary to Article 17 (45) of the 2024 Premier League regulations, which grants the visiting team the right to hold a final training session at the match venue at the scheduled kick-off time.
Tanzania’s famous Kariakoo Derby between bitter rivals Yanga SC and Simba SC on Saturday was not played and here’s why.
The game, scheduled for the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, is a home fixture for Young Africans. On Friday night, Simba reportedly rocked up at the match venue, allegedly without notifying the host club. The intention was to have their final training session at the venue.
However, they were denied access to the facility. At midnight, the club posted the below statement saying they would not take part in the fixture. Interestingly, Yanga this morning posted that the match was still going on.
While the Tanzania Premier League Board is yet to say anything publicly, indications are that they tried to engage Simba to resolve the matter. The match was scheduled for 18h00 local time.
“Simba Sports Club is deeply disappointed by the unsportsmanlike actions directed at our team ahead of the NBC Premier League match against Yanga, where Simba is the visiting team,” said Simba.
According to Rule 17(45) of the Mainland Premier League Regulations, the visiting team has the right to train at the match venue at least once before the match day during the scheduled match time.
“However, Simba was deliberately denied this right despite arriving at the venue at the designated time.
“During the confusion, Simba was informed by the Stadium Manager that he had no instructions to allow training to take place without the match commissioner’s approval. Even after the arrival of the match commissioner, security personnel associated with Yanga Club forcefully disrupted Simba’s delegation, preventing them from accessing the pitch for training.
“Simba’s efforts to resolve the situation were unsuccessful for over two hours before the team decided to leave the stadium premises for safety reasons, with the entire incident recorded as evidence.
“Due to this violation of match regulations, Simba will not participate in the scheduled match, and all rights are reserved. Simba urges the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against those responsible for this incident.”
YANGA HAVE SAID ABOUT THE SITUATION
“The management of Young Africans Sports Club would like to inform the public that our NBC Premier League match against Simba SC, scheduled for today, March 8, 2025, at 7:15 PM, will proceed as planned with no changes,” a statement read.
“As the host team, Young Africans SC affirmed that all match procedures, as stipulated in the NBC Premier League regulations, were in order and that all preparations were complete.
“The management of Young Africans SC will ensure the team arrives at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium as required by the regulations, and we will not be available to play this match on any other day apart from today.
“We invite our members, fans, and supporters, as well as stakeholders who have traveled from different regions, neighboring countries, and across the world, to come and witness this major African football clash.”
After the off field squabble, Yanga showed up and did all the pre match ritual, but Simba was not present as indicated on their press release a day prior. The Tanzania premier League board is yet to address the issue. Meantime, YANGA leads the championship with 58 points, while Simba are on 54.
