Photo Credit - Young Africans Sports Club.
In a new twist of events, Young Africans (Yanga SC) have now called on Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) to award them three points and two goals from the unplayed Mainland Premier League fixture against rivals Simba SC.
The eagerly-awaited derby, which was scheduled for Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, was not played after the Msimbazi Reds lodged a complaint with TPLB accusing Yanga, who were the home team, of denying them access to train at the matchday venue ahead of the contest.
As per the league’s rules, Simba had arrived at Benjamin Mkapa on Friday ready to have a feel of the ground in readiness for the derby but they were locked out. Their efforts to access the venue bore no fruits and they were finally forced to leave the stadium.
TPLB later confirmed receiving Simba’s letter and they went ahead to postpone the fixture. Despite the letter of postponement from TPLB, Yanga went ahead to honour the fixture, and arrived at Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.
Yanga statement to TPLB Page One.
They held a light workout in readiness for the match but Simba never showed up. The Timu ya Mwananchi have now demanded TPLB to award them the fixture on a three point, two goal basis because Simba failed to honour the planned number 184 fixture.
A letter from Yanga to TPLB obtained by Pan-Africa Football read in part: “TPLB through chairman Steven Mnguto had earlier confirmed that the derby against Simba will proceed as planned.
“But later, they sent a statement confirming the postponement of the fixture and thus violating rules and regulations governing the league in the country, we therefore, as Yanga urge TPLB to award us the fixture, on a three points, two goal basis as per the rules when a team fails to honour a planned match.
Yanga statement Page Two.
“Following the many unresolved cases of teams breaking rules in the league, Yanga have lost faith in the management of TPLB under the chairmanship of Mnguto and secretary Almas Kasongo, and wish to request Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to dissolve the committee and elect officials, who are willing to serve in the role with integrity.”
The statement concluded: “Yanga management have reached an agreement not to honour match number 184 (against Simba) on any other given date or day. Finally, we urge all our members and fans across Africa to stay calm, as we continue to make sure the rules of the game are followed and adhered to accordingly.”
On postponing the fixture, TPLB said they will give the derby a new date in due course.
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