Dar es Salaam. Football fever is reaching boiling point as Tanzania’s biggest rivals, Yanga SC and Simba SC, gear up for a mouthwatering clash in the Community Shield scheduled for September 16, 2025, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The match, set to kick off at 5:00 PM local time, is expected to draw thousands of passionate fans in what promises to be another thrilling chapter of this historic rivalry.
Simba go into the tie boasting a record 10 Community Shield titles, having won the crown in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023.
Their archrivals Yanga follow closely with eight titles to their name 2001, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022 and 2024. Outside the “big two,” only Azam (2016) and Mtibwa Sugar (2009) have managed to get their names on the trophy once each.
This year’s clash not only brings the promise of silverware but also rekindles memories of the fierce battles the two giants have fought since the Community Shield’s introduction in 2001.
The Tanzania Football Association (formerly FAT) initially alternated the fixture with the Tusker Cup until 2005, before reinstating the Shield in 2009, where it has since remained the official curtain-raiser of the domestic season.
Memorable Community Shield Encounters
Yanga 2-1 Simba (2001): The very first Community Shield clash saw Yanga emerge victorious courtesy of goals from Edibily Lunyamila and Ally Yussuf “Tigana.” Simba’s Steven Mapunda “Garrincha” netted their consolation.
Yanga 0-0 Simba (2010): A tense stalemate ended in penalties, with Yanga triumphing 3-1 in the shootout.
Simba 2-0 Yanga (2011): Simba struck back in style as Haruna Moshi “Boban” and Felix Sunzu sealed a 2-0 win.
Yanga 0-0 Simba (2017): Another goalless draw decided by penalties, Simba edging it 5-4 after Kelvin Yondani and Mohamed Hussein “Tshabalala” missed from the spot.
Simba 0-1 Yanga (2021): Congolese striker Fiston Mayele scored the winner, handing Yanga the trophy.
Yanga 2-1 Simba (2022): Pape Ousmane Sakho opened for Simba, but Mayele responded with a brace to turn the tie in Yanga’s favor.
Yanga 0-0 Simba (2023): A stalemate in Tanga ended with Simba winning 3-1 on penalties, thanks to goalkeeper Ally Salim’s heroics.
Yanga 1-0 Simba (2024): Maxi Nzengeli struck the only goal to hand Yanga the win, before they went on to crush Azam 4-1 in the final.
