The controversy surrounding NBC Premier League derby match number 184 between fierce rivals Simba SC and Yanga SC has left a major stain on the history of football administration in Tanzania. More than anything, it has opened a new chapter in the debate about how the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) governs football — and the truth is clear: the TPLB has failed.
This saga should serve as a wake-up call for top leaders at TPLB and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF). The decision by TFF President Wallace Karia to suspend the CEO of the Premier League Board, Almas Kasongo, while Chairman Steven Mnguto resigned, demonstrates that even the country’s top football authority has begun to recognize the shortcomings.
It is both surprising and disappointing that this conflict emerged as far back as March 8 but remained unresolved until the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, intervened by bringing all disputing parties together.
However, this issue should have been resolved much earlier by the Board itself, which holds the mandate to schedule, manage, and resolve league conflicts. This is a clear sign of operational weakness and lack of leadership stability.
The Board postponed the match following confusion on the evening of March 7, but when it came to setting a new date for the game, it began to falter. Instead of standing firm in its decisions as an independent and authoritative body, it opted for “diplomatic wisdom” without regulatory basis by sitting down with Yanga officials who opposed the decision.
It should be remembered that Yanga initially took their complaints to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, the CAS ruling clearly stated that their claims lacked legal merit and that they should return to the appropriate domestic authorities.
This should have been an opportunity for TPLB to demonstrate its strength by upholding the rules without wavering. Instead, the Board fell into the trap of backtracking due to pressure from one club — raising concerns about fairness for all clubs participating in the league.
Football is governed by rules, not emotions or politics. The Board must learn that every time it strays from proper procedures and fails to uphold its decisions, it erodes the principles of justice, fair competition, and the league’s integrity. Disputes in sports are not unusual, but how they are handled reflects the competence of the body overseeing them.
If the Board continues to govern football by bowing to stakeholder pressure instead of adhering to rules and regulations, we cannot progress as a nation aspiring to have a top-tier and respected league in Africa.
