THE Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has officially announced the referees for the much-awaited Mainland Premier League clash between Young Africans SC (Yanga) and Simba SC, set to take place on Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

FIFA-certified referee Ahmed Arajiga (pictured) has been appointed as the centre referee for the high-stakes encounter. He will be assisted by Kassim Mpanga and Mohammed Mkono as assistant referees, while Amina Kyando will serve as the fourth official.

Arajiga is no stranger to the Dar es Salaam Derby, having recently officiated three previous meetings between Young Africans and Simba. His record in those encounters favours Young Africans, with the Jangwani Street-based side winning twice and Simba securing one victory. There have been no draws in matches he has officiated between the two arch-rivals.

The derbies officiated by Arajiga and their results are: July 25, 2021 – Young Africans 0-1 Simba (Azam Sports Federation Cup Final), May 28, 2022 – Young Africans 1-0 Simba (Azam Sports Federation Cup Semifinal), November 5, 2023 – Simba 1-5 Young Africans (Mainland Premier League)

Arajiga’s latest assignment involving Simba came just last week when he officiated their Premier League clash against Azam FC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Arajiga’s reputation as one of Tanzania’s top referees continues to grow. He was named the Best Referee of the 2023/24 Mainland Premier League season and remains the only Tanzanian referee in recent years to officiate CAF and FIFA-sanctioned matches consistently.

Since earning his FIFA badge in early 2022, Arajiga has been entrusted with high-profile assignments. One of his upcoming duties includes officiating the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Botswana and Algeria, scheduled for March 21, 2025, in Francistown, Botswana.

Additionally, on January 19, 2025, he oversaw the CAF Confederation Cup group stage match between Morocco’s RS Berkane and South Africa’s Stellenbosch, further cementing his status as one of top referees on the continent.

The city of Dar es Salaam is set to come to a standstill this Saturday as Young Africans and Simba lock horns in one of Africa’s most fiercely contested derbies. The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is expected to be at full capacity as thousands of fans from both sides prepare to witness the spectacle.

Simba will be the designated away team for this encounter, which is scheduled to kick off at 7:15 PM (EAT).

Young Africans have already announced ticket prices for the much-anticipated showdown, urging fans to purchase them in advance to boost their respective teams’ morale.

The ticket categories and prices are as follows: Regular Stands (Mzunguko) - TSH 5,000, Orange Section – TSH 10,000, VIP C – TSH 20,000, VIP B – TSH 30,000, VIP A – TSH 50,000 (Sold Out).

With VIP A tickets already sold out, demand remains high for the remaining categories.

With the race for the Premier League title heating up, this match carries significant implications for both teams.

As it stands, Young Africans lead the league table with 58 points from 22 matches, having recorded one draw and two losses. Simba follow closely in second place with 54 points from 21 matches, with three draws and one defeat.

A win for either side could be crucial in shaping the title race, making this one of the most anticipated derbies in recent history.