Dar es Salaam. A nation’s eyes turn to the Isles. This Sunday, as the sun sets over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar will once again become the heart of Tanzanian football.
The 2024/2025 Azam Sports Federation Cup (FA Cup) concludes with a high-stakes final at the New Amaan Complex only the second time ever that this historic competition has crowned its champion on Zanzibari soil.
Defending champions Young Africans SC (Yanga) are chasing a historic fourth consecutive title, while Singida Black Stars will be appearing in their maiden final under their new identity, formerly known as Ihefu SC.
While Yanga arrives with immense momentum, having demolished Dodoma Jiji 5-0 in their final Premier League outing, Singida BS is driven by a dream one that’s taken them from regional league battles to the grandest domestic stage in Tanzanian football.
Yanga: Built for Finals
This will be Yanga’s fifth consecutive FA Cup final appearance, a journey that began with heartbreak in 2021 when they lost 1-0 to Simba SC in Kigoma, after midfielder Mukoko Tonombe was sent off before halftime and Ugandan anchor Taddeo Lwanga scored the decisive header.
Since that match, Yanga has been unbeatable in this competition 23 straight victories en route to three consecutive titles.
Their record surpassed Simba’s previous unbeaten streak of 17 FA Cup matches from 2019–2022.
That run ended at the hands of Feisal “Fei Toto” Salum, whose long-range screamer in Mwanza (2022) eliminated Simba in the semis, sending Yanga to their first modern-era title, which they won via penalties against Coastal Union.
In 2022/23, Yanga steamrolled opponents, scoring 8 goals against Kurugenzi, 7 against Rhino Rangers, and edging past Singida Big Stars in the semi-finals before clinching the final with a Kennedy Musonda header.
The 2023/24 campaign saw more of the same. Yanga beat Housing (5-1), Police Tanzania (5-0), Dodoma Jiji (2-0), Tabora United (3-0), and edged Ihefu (now Singida BS) 1-0 in extra time in the semis.
The final, held at New Amaan, was a penalty thriller — Yanga triumphed 6-5 against Azam FC after a goalless 120 minutes, securing their third straight title and extending their unbeaten FA Cup streak to 18 games.
2024/25: Business as Usual for Yanga
This season, Yanga opened their title defense with a 5-0 thrashing of Copco FC in the Round of 64.
They followed that up with a 3-1 win over Coastal Union and a 2-0 victory over Songea United.
In the quarterfinals, Yanga dismantled Stand United 8-1 featuring four goals from Stephane Aziz Ki, two from Clatous Chama, and one each from Nickson Kibabage and Kennedy Musonda.
In the semis, they defeated JKT Tanzania 2-0 with goals from Prince Dube and Mudathir Yahya, booking yet another final slot their fourth in a row and extending their unbeaten FA Cup streak to 21 matches.
Singida BS: From Underdogs to Finalists
This is a landmark moment for Singida BS. Having never reached a final even during their Ihefu days the club’s transformation has mirrored their rise in stature.
Their campaign began with a 2-0 win over Magnet FC, followed by a commanding 4-0 demolition of Leo Tena. In the Round of 16, they edged KMC 1-0 via an own goal from Abdallah Said ‘Lanso’.
A 2-0 quarterfinal win over Kagera Sugar featuring goals from Victorien Adebayor and Jonathan Sowah set up a seismic semifinal clash against Simba SC.
In a surprise twist, Singida triumphed 3-1 in Karatu, with Sowah and Emmanuel Keyekeh (brace) stunning the Msimbazi giants.
Head-to-Head: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Although this is the first FA Cup final meeting between Yanga and Singida BS, history heavily favors the Jangwani giants.
A Cup Meetings:
2017/18: Yanga 1-1 Ihefu (Yanga won 4-3 on penalties)
2021/22: Yanga 4-0 Ihefu (Round of 64)
2023/24: Yanga 1-0 Ihefu (Semi-final)
2024/25: Final
Premier League Record (Last 8 meetings):
Yanga Wins: 6
Singida/Ihefu Wins: 2
Draws: 0
Goals: Yanga 16 – 3 Singida
