A HIGHLY anticipated meeting between the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) and officials of Young Africans SC (Yanga) concluded on Monday, June 9, 2025, with the defending champions standing firm on their decision not to participate in the upcoming derby against rivals Simba SC - unless their unresolved demands are addressed.

The closed-door meeting, held at the TPLB headquarters located at NSSF Mafao House in Ilala, Dar es Salaam, lasted over two hours, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 12:53 p.m. 

It was convened to address the contentious Mainland Premier League match number 184 between Young Africans and Simba, initially scheduled for March 8, 2025, but postponed under controversial circumstances.

Speaking to the media shortly after the meeting, Young Africans vice president Arafat Haji (pictured) confirmed the club's attendance and underscored the purpose of their participation.

“We have just concluded the meeting. Our goal was to officially present the club’s position, which reflects the views and concerns of our members and fans. That’s what we came to do,” Haji stated briefly before departing the venue with fellow club officials.

While Haji refrained from disclosing whether Young Africans would honor the rescheduled derby, the club later released a formal statement on its official social media platforms.

“The leadership of Young Africans SC would like to inform the public that on June 7, 2025, we received an official invitation from the Tanzania Premier League Board to attend a special meeting concerning match number 184 of the NBC Premier League: Yanga SC vs Simba SC.

Our leadership honored the invitation and participated in the meeting held on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the TPLB offices at NSSF Mafao House, Dar es Salaam, from 10:00 a.m.

After hours of deliberation, our club officials submitted our final position: Yanga will not participate in match number 184, scheduled for June 15, 2025, until the demands we submitted in writing to the League Board are fulfilled.

We wish the League Board and the Tanzania Football Federation success in addressing our concerns, which are vital to the future development of football in Tanzania.”

While the exact nature of the club’s demands remains undisclosed, they are widely believed to stem from grievances related to the abrupt postponement of the original fixture.

The March 8 clash was called off just hours before kickoff after Simba lodged a formal complaint, alleging they were barred from accessing Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for their final training session. 

Simba accused individuals allegedly linked to Young Africans of blocking their use of the venue, prompting the TPLB to issue a last-minute matchday postponement - a decision that incensed Young Africans’ leadership.

Since then, Young Africans have publicly demanded an official explanation for the postponement and vowed not to participate in any rescheduled fixture until the matter is resolved.

The situation is further complicated by the high stakes of the derby. With just three rounds remaining, Young Africans tops the 16-team league with 73 points, closely followed by Simba with 72 points. Both teams have played 27 matches, making the outcome of the derby potentially decisive in the title race.

Young Africans remaining league fixtures include an away match against Tanzania Prisons at Sokoine Stadium on June 18, and a final home game against Dodoma Jiji at Azam Complex on June 22. 

The club has also reached the Federation Cup final, where they will face Singida Black Stars - who eliminated Simba with a 3–1 semifinal victory. The final’s date and venue are yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, TPLB Communications Officer Karim Boimanda confirmed that a comprehensive statement on the meeting’s outcome and the way forward will be delivered by TPLB CEO Almas Kasongo in due course.

This standoff comes at a critical juncture for the Mainland Premier League, with the championship on the line and the historic Young Africans–Simba rivalry drawing intense national attention. 

As the standoff persists, stakeholders and fans alike await clarity from both the TPLB and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) on whether the derby will proceed as planned, face further postponement, or potentially be canceled - each scenario carrying significant implications for the league and the sport in Tanzania.