DERBY CLASH SUSPENSE: Yanga, TFF ping pong rages on

DAR ES SALAAM: AS the drama surrounding the highly anticipated derby remains unresolved, Yanga have now sparked a fresh controversy.

The club has threatened to withdraw from the CRDB Bank Federation Cup final. Yanga’s stance is conditional: they claim they will only take part if they receive outstanding payments they say they are owed for winning the competition in the 2023/2024 season.

However, in a press conference held by Yanga’s spokesperson, the club appeared to shift the spotlight onto the tournament’s main sponsor, CRDB Bank.

The bank had earlier issued a press release clarifying that, as the primary sponsor of the CRDB Bank Federation Cup, it has always fulfilled its contractual obligations. The sponsor emphasised that it had already disbursed 255 million/- to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), fully meeting its financial and contractual commitments.

The statement stressed that CRDB Bank conducts its sponsorship duties professionally and with due diligence. Shortly after, the TFF also responded with a press release addressing what it described as “public confusion.”

The federation confirmed CRDB Bank’s role as the main sponsor of the Federation Cup and reiterated that the bank is fulfilling its contractual obligations as agreed.

“We would like to confirm to the public that CRDB Bank is the Main Sponsor of the TFF Federation Cup competition, and it is properly fulfilling its contractual obligations,” the statement read.

TFF further stated that the bank had paid all required funds for the 2023/2024 season of the CRDB Bank Federation Cup competition, amounting to TZS 255million/- (Two Hundred and Fifty-Five Million Tanzanian Shillings).

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Moreover, the federation addressed the complaint raised by Yanga’s spokesperson during the recent press conference.

The spokesperson alleged that Yanga were owed 200 million/-, a bonus for winning the cup. TFF confirmed that the claim was valid but clarified that Yanga had formally requested in writing that the amount be offset against fees the club owed to the federation.

Some of these outstanding fees reportedly relate to payments for foreign players registered by Yanga. The situation has added further tension to an already fraught lead-up to one of Tanzania’s most hotly contested fixtures.

The derby’s unresolved issues, combined with this financial dispute, threaten to overshadow the cup final. Yanga’s insistence on payment before playing raises questions about the state of football governance and financial management within Tanzanian football.

Meanwhile, CRDB Bank and TFF maintain that all contractual and procedural matters have been handled correctly. Also TFF have said in their press release that Yanga are the ones owing them.

“We would like to clarify that it is Yanga that owe TFF. Young Africans requested by letter that their prize money for various competitions be deducted to pay for what they are required to pay to TFF, including fees for foreign players,”stated TFF press release.

The football community now awaits further developments with bated breath, hoping for an amicable resolution so that the eagerly awaited final can proceed without disruption.

To calm down the situation,TFF have extended an invitation to Yanga to send their financial expert today to verify the funds.

“Therefore, in order to avoid further misunderstandings with the public, we have written a letter to Young Africans to send us their financial expert tomorrow(today) at 4 am to verify the club’s debt with all the evidence in the TFF Offices,” said the press release.

Meanwhile with just five days remaining before the muchanticipated Dar es Salaam Derby (Young Africans Sports Club versus Simba Sports Club), scheduled for this weekend on June 15 at the iconic Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Simba have come forward to reaffirm their readiness for the encounter.

The club urged fans to focus solely on supporting their team and disregard distractions, as tensions rise following a boycott threat from archrivals, Yanga SC.

Simba versus Yanga derby is more than just a match, it is the heartbeat of Tanzanian and East African football, a rivalry rooted in over seven decades of fierce competition, cultural pride and passionate fan bases that transcend the pitch.

Often referred to simply as the Kariakoo Derby, named after the bustling Dar es Salaam neighbourhood where both clubs were founded, this fixture is regarded as the most electrifying and intense in East Africa.

In an official statement released yesterday, Simba SC addressed their fans, members and the wider public, urging calm and unity.

The club reiterated that Match No. 184, the 184th chapter in this historic rivalry, remains scheduled for June 15.

“Simba Sports Club would like to inform members, fans and the public that the match number 184 against Yanga, scheduled for June 15, 2025, is still on as planned,” the statement declared.

Simba SC emphasised that preparations are underway and encouraged fans to hold onto tickets purchased for the March fixture, as they remain valid. For those yet to get tickets, the club advised readiness for a new sales window to be announced by the Premier League Board.

“Do not be swayed by noise from the streets. Those who bought tickets for the March 8 match should preserve them and those who haven’t bought any should be ready to do so when the League Board opens the process. Let’s fill Mkapa Stadium in red and white,” the club said in the statement.

The club also called on the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) to promptly release the findings of the investigation into the March 7 chaos.

Simba stressed the need for accountability to preserve the integrity of the league and the sport in Tanzania.