Ivorian forward Anicet Oura doubled the lead in the 76th minute before Neo Maema sealed the win late on in the 89th minute, confirming Simba’s intent ahead of the fina
Dar es Salaam. It will be a classic Kariakoo Derby as Young Africans (Yanga) take on arch-rivals Simba SC in the 2026 Union Cup final, scheduled for April 29 at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.
The highly anticipated encounter will kick off at 8:15pm, with both teams aiming to crown their campaign with silverware and a lucrative cash prize.
The winner of the final will walk away with Sh150 million, while the runner-up will receive Sh100 million, adding further stakes to an already intense rivalry.
Yanga were the first to book their place in the final after edging Azam FC 2-1 in a tightly contested semifinal played on Saturday, April 25. The Jangwani Street side showed resilience and attacking efficiency to overcome their Dar es Salaam rivals, setting the stage for yet another high-profile meeting with Simba.
Simba, on the other hand, secured their spot in emphatic fashion with a dominant 3-0 victory over Mlandege on April 26.
The Msimbazi Street giants took control of the match in the second half, with Seleman Mwalimu opening the scoring in the 63rd minute.
Ivorian forward Anicet Oura doubled the lead in the 76th minute before Neo Maema sealed the win late on in the 89th minute, confirming Simba’s intent ahead of the final.
All Union Cup matches have been staged at the New Amaan Complex, giving both finalists familiarity with the pitch conditions as they prepare for the decisive clash.
This final also brings back memories of their previous meeting at the same venue earlier this year. On March 1, 2026, Yanga and Simba faced off in a Mainland Premier League encounter that ended in a goalless draw.
Despite the lack of goals, the match was fiercely contested, highlighting the evenly matched nature of the two sides.
As they prepare to meet again, both teams will be eager to break the deadlock and assert dominance in Tanzanian football.
Yanga will rely on their fluid attacking play and recent momentum, while Simba will look to build on their convincing semifinal performance.
With pride, bragging rights, and a significant financial reward on the line, the Union Cup final promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between Tanzania’s two football giants.
Fans across the country and beyond will be watching closely as the Kariakoo Derby takes centre stage once again.
