The Swahili proverb "mbio za sakafuni huishia ukingoni" ("a fast start can still end at the edge") perfectly reflects the reality of the football season in Tanzania for Simba SC. In a season where their fans were filled with high hopes, the fate of their happiness now lies in the hands of their traditional rivals – Young Africans SC (Yanga).
In the NBC Premier League, Yanga sits at the top with 73 points after 27 matches. With only two games remaining, winning both would guarantee them the title for the fourth consecutive season. This effectively denies Simba any chance of claiming the league trophy – a trophy they had greatly desired at the start of the season.
Match number 184 against Simba, which was initially scheduled for March 8, was postponed under controversial circumstances after Simba failed to show up at the stadium. The fate of that match remains uncertain, as Yanga has refused to play until the League Board follows proper procedure.
Despite directives from CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), Yanga submitted their complaints to BMT (National Sports Council), since TFF (Tanzania Football Federation) is among the parties being accused. This shows Yanga’s firm stance in pursuing the justice they believe they deserve.
Simba's remaining hope of winning a trophy this season lies in the CRDB Federation Cup. However, that path is not easy. They must first defeat Singida Black Stars in the semi-finals, and then face Yanga in the final – if the Citizens (Yanga) maintain their current form, Simba will face another painful hurdle at the hands of their arch-rivals.
What is clear is that Yanga will not be a stepping stone for their rivals. They will fight to claim the remaining trophies and, in doing so, aim to win all domestic titles this season.
Already in their cabinet, Yanga holds the Community Shield and the Union Cup, which they claimed earlier this month in Zanzibar – a tournament from which their rivals Simba withdrew to focus on the CAF Confederation Cup, which they ultimately failed to win.
Given the current state of affairs, it is fair to say that Yanga holds the key to their rivals' joy. If they win their remaining league matches and lift the CRDB Cup, history will record the 2024/25 season as one in which Yanga won all domestic trophies, while their rivals walked away empty-handed.
