Dar es Salaam – In recent years, Tanzanian football has made significant strides, particularly with clubs like Yanga SC and Simba SC excelling in continental competitions.
However, persistent legal disputes and poor management surrounding key matches are threatening to undermine the sport’s growth.
The ongoing controversy regarding March 8’s scheduled derby between Yanga and Simba underscores these challenges.
On Saturday morning March 8, Yanga SC firmly declared that they would not agree to play the derby on any other date than the originally scheduled one, following Simba’s announcement of their refusal to participate.
Simba cited their denial of access to Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for a crucial training session, arguing that this denial disrupted their preparations and violated competition rules.
According to Article 17 (45) of the Premier League regulations, the visiting team has the right to train at the match venue at least once before the game.
This latest boycott raises serious questions about the effectiveness of governing bodies like the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB).
The inconsistency in scheduling and decision-making creates confusion among stakeholders, including fans, players, and sponsors.
Former Mtibwa Sugar and Gwambina coach Mohammed Badru commented shortly after the postponement, stating that incidents like these do not reflect well on Tanzanian football.
He stated, “There are guests who have come for the match, and they encounter such situations—it is truly embarrassing. We need to change and move away from actions that tarnish our football.”
This is not the first time Simba SC have refused to play a scheduled match; their previous boycotts, including the Community Shield and a Federation Cup match against Kagera Sugar, reflect ongoing tensions regarding fixture fairness and governance.
Notably, in 2021, Yanga SC protested a decision to change the kickoff time of a match from 5 PM to 7 PM EAT, claiming that such changes violated Rule 15 (10) of the Premier League regulations.
This protest ultimately led the TFF to reschedule the game, further highlighting the strained relationship between the teams and the league.
Such disruptions threaten the integrity and progress of Tanzanian football.
Players’ physical and mental preparedness suffer when matches are suddenly rescheduled or postponed, particularly in high-stakes fixtures like the Yanga-Simba derby that require meticulous planning and training.
Moreover, frequent changes can diminish competitive momentum and affect individual performances, limiting players’ opportunities for international scouting and professional growth.
The economic implications
Football fans thrive on stability and well-planned fixtures; persistent disputes frustrate supporters and decrease their enthusiasm for attending matches.
Sponsors and investors seek clarity in scheduling to justify their financial commitments, but ongoing conflicts deter potential investment, impacting the sport’s financial growth.
Clubs relying on match-day revenue, broadcasting rights, and sponsorship deals suffer when games are postponed or canceled, reducing potential income from ticket sales, advertising, and merchandise.
In light of the turmoil, anonymous sources have raised pressing questions about the impact of these disruptions:
- “What do we tell the sports fans who have traveled from afar and spent their own money for this match?”
- “What about the entrepreneurs who borrowed money to start small businesses at the stadium?”
- “How do we address the sponsors who promoted the match and had people pay for their subscriptions?”
- “What do we say to the Yanga’s management, who incurred significant expenses preparing the team for the match?”
- “And what of the match officials who traveled from distant regions, received allowances, and are now left with uncertainties?”
Fan sentiments
A Yanga fan wrote in a WhatsApp group: “Today’s match was highly anticipated, and many of us were really prepared. The next one won’t have the same excitement as this one that has been postponed.”
She added: We are very disappointed as fans from both sides. Many have lost their transportation costs and time; it’s truly frustrating. They haven’t considered the losses for the fans.”
A Simba fan expressed his frustration after traveling back from abroad just to see the match.
“I rushed to catch a flight back to Tanzania just to watch this game, and now I’m stuck watching cartoons with my son. This drama between Simba and Yanga is really ridiculous,” he expressed, sharing his disappointment.
Another anonymous source expressed frustration, saying, “I borrowed money to buy five goats, thinking I would sell them today. What a disappointment!”
Amina Shukuru, a stakeholder in Tanzanian football, expressed her concerns, stating, “This is a demoralizing situation for both fans and players.”
“Football is entertainment, but it is also a business that relies on good governance. When we fail to plan and execute schedules efficiently, we lose the trust of fans and football stakeholders.
“Leaders must ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the game to avoid unnecessary conflicts.”
In a related statement, Azam Media Limited expressed their disappointment over the postponement of the match, noting the significant impact on fans, customers, and football stakeholders overall.
The company, which broadcasts the Premier League live through Azam TV, highlighted that their broadcast team was already at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for the match.
“The postponement of this game has caused us substantial losses due to preparation costs, promotional advertising across various media, disruptions for companies advertising products and services, and for customers who paid to watch football in our decoders,’ part of their statement reads.”
In contrast, neighboring countries like Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa have more structured football management systems that ensure fixtures are executed according to clear regulations.
South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), for instance, enforces compliance with league decisions, minimizing disputes.
Tanzania can borrow a leaf from these examples to establish a more effective governance structure that reduces conflicts and enhances the credibility of its league.
The role of the TFF and TPLB is crucial in ensuring disputes do not derail the sport’s progress; these institutions must enforce strict scheduling policies and maintain transparency in decision-making.
Additionally, club executives should adopt a more diplomatic approach to grievances, avoiding ultimatums and boycotts that ultimately harm the entire football ecosystem.
