BANDARI FC is slated to feature in a high-profile friendly against Mainland Tanzania Premier League champions Young Africans SC (Yanga) on September 12 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

According to Bandari FC's CEO, Tony Kibwana, the team will arrive in Tanzania on August 30 to begin a pre-season camp, which will include playing a series of matches against local teams.

The friendly against Yanga will be the final and most significant game of the Kenyan club's tour.

The match is scheduled to be the main event of the 'Mwananchi Day', Yanga’s annual fan festival, culminating a week of community activities held by the club.

The festival celebrates the club’s heritage and gives fans a chance to connect with players before the new season begins.

The friendly is garnering significant regional interest, considering it follows recent tense matches involving Kenyan and Tanzanian national teams in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) games.

The continental showdown's encounters have seen the rivals fail to settle their long-standing feud, having crashed out of the last-eight phase.

“We will leave Mombasa on August 30 for Tanzania, where we’ll have our pre-season, including a tournament with various local clubs. The climax will be against Yanga during 'Mwananchi Day',” Kibwana confirmed.

Kibwana added that while his club has lost a few key players, the outfit is set to unveil new signings who, he believes, will have a major impact.

“Yes, we’ve lost key players, but soon we will unveil our new lineup, and I’m confident they will do wonders,” he said.

Bandari FC contributed five players to Kenya's Harambee Stars in the CHAN 2024. They include goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo, who returns to familiar territory, having played in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League.

Meanwhile, Yanga had five players in Tanzania's Taifa Stars lineup, led by forward Clement Mzize. Others are Dickson Job, Ibrahim Hamad, Mudathir Yahya, and newly signed left fullback Mohamed Hussein.

Tensions are already rising ahead of the encounter, with Yanga’s Media and Communications Manager Ali Kamwe suggesting the match carries national significance beyond club football.

“This will not be just a friendly match. I want Kenyans to hear that we have handed over our national frustrations to Yanga. They will defend Tanzania’s pride against Bandari,” Kamwe said.

In the 2025/26 season, Yanga will be aiming for a historic fifth consecutive Mainland Premier League title and Federation Cup trophy. 

However, with significant changes to the Jangwani Street-based outfit's squad and technical staff, the club will likely face fierce competition.

Their primary rivals, Simba SC and Azam FC, have both strengthened their teams. Azam FC has brought in experienced Congolese coach Florent Ibengé.

Additionally, former Yanga coach Miguel Gamondi, who is familiar with the team and the league, now leads Singida Black Stars.

The coach's presence is set to add another layer of tactical challenge to the league. These changes suggest a much tougher title race for Yanga in the coming season.