Young Africans SC (Yanga) has kicked off comprehensive preparations to secure victory in their Community Shield clash against arch-rivals Simba, scheduled for September 16 this year at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The club’s Vice President, Arafat Haji, said recently that plans and strategies for the match are already underway, with the goal of winning in order to retain the title.
Haji emphasized that Yanga’s honor for the 2025/26 season will begin with that game.
“We have work to do on the 16th. They wished the old format had continued, where they could escape us again through semifinals, but as the saying goes, ‘God is not Athumani,’ they’ve been brought to us. That day we will begin establishing Yanga’s respect for the 2025/26 season,” said Haji, adding:
“We will ensure the Community Shield returns home and stays in Jangwani, because that is where it belongs. Therefore, the support shown by all Yanga fans last season must be doubled this season.”
Recently, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) announced changes to the Premier League regulations for this season. Instead of four teams competing in three matches (two semifinals and a final), there will now only be a single match.
According to TFF, the game will be contested between the Mainland champions, Yanga, and the Premier League runners-up, Simba. The rules require these two teams to play the match.
Normally, Yanga would have faced the FA Cup winners, but since they also won that trophy, the regulations stipulate they must instead play against the league runners-up.
TFF clarified that the new format was introduced this season following rule amendments passed by its Executive Committee, partly due to fixture congestion with CAF competitions.
Currently, Tanzania is hosting the CHAN finals, which began on August 2 and will conclude on August 30. Under the old system, Yanga would have faced Azam FC in the semifinal, while Simba would have met Singida Black Stars.
Yanga has beaten Simba five consecutive times—four in the Premier League (home and away over two seasons) and once in the Community Shield semifinal on August 8 last year.
Last season, Yanga lifted the Community Shield after thrashing Azam 4–1 on August 11 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Goals came from Prince Dube, an own goal by Yoro Diaby, Stephane Aziz Ki, and Clement Mzize, while Feisal Salum ‘Fei Toto’ had earlier given Azam the lead.
