Dar es Salaam. As the countdown to the decisive Kariakoo Derby begins, the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has named Egyptian referee, Amin Mohamed Amin Omar, to take charge of the high-stakes clash between Simba SC and Yanga SC, scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
The decision to appoint Omar, a seasoned international official with a reputation for discipline and impartiality, underscores the magnitude of the encounter, which comes at a critical juncture in the NBC Premier League title race.
The TPLB made the announcement on Monday, June 23, revealing that Omar would be joined by fellow Egyptians, Mahmoud Ahmed Abo El Regal and Samir Gamal Saad Mohamed, as assistant referees, while Ahmed Mahrous ElGhandour will serve as the fourth official.
Salim Omary Singano from Tanga will act as Match Commissioner, with Alli Mohamed from Somalia appointed Referees Assessor.
The decision to bring in Egyptian referees, according to Tanzania Referees Committee chairman, Nassor Hamduni, stems from practical considerations.
He explained that the referees initially assigned to handle the match were unavailable in the country, and there was insufficient time to adequately prepare other local referees for such a demanding fixture.
“Collaboration in sports is not a bad thing. This is just the beginning — our local referees will also go abroad to officiate, and we will continue bringing others here to officiate our matches. It’s also an opportunity to learn from others,” said Hamduni.
He added, “You cannot prepare referees quickly and throw them into a derby match that attracts global attention. This is a huge match, and we believe the presence of these referees is the right move. Our referees have also benefited from such exposure abroad, so why shouldn’t we do the same and learn from others?”
With the derby often characterised by heightened tension, emotionally charged crowds, and fierce rivalry on and off the pitch, the move to bring in neutral, foreign match officials is being seen as an effort to ensure fairness, calm, and professionalism.
Omar is no stranger to Tanzanian football. He has previously officiated CAF Champions League fixtures involving both clubs, including Simba’s away tie against Horoya AC in the 2022/23 season and Yanga’s quarterfinal clash against Mamelodi Sundowns in 2023/24.
In both matches, he was noted for his firm control of proceedings—issuing six and four yellow cards respectively.
So far this season, Omar has officiated 22 matches in domestic and continental competitions, handing out 86 yellow cards—an average of nearly four per match.
This record paints the picture of a strict but consistent referee who is unlikely to tolerate dissent or dangerous play.
The choice of a foreign referee also reflects the broader intention of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and league organisers to bolster the integrity of officiating in high-profile games.
Past derbies have sometimes been marred by controversies surrounding refereeing decisions, with fans and officials alike calling for more neutral oversight in matches that could decide the league title.
Simba and Yanga, the country’s most decorated football clubs, are separated by just a single point on the league table.
With the curtain set to fall on the season, Wednesday’s fixture may not only determine bragging rights in the commercial capital but could also prove decisive in the title race.
Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM East African Time, with tens of thousands expected to fill the stadium, while millions more follow the action on television and radio across the region.
With stakes so high and emotions running even higher, all eyes will be on the man in the middle—Amin Omar—tasked with ensuring the derby is decided not by controversy, but by football.
