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Kariakoo derby: Yanga reveal what is ailing Tanzania’s football
Yanga spokesperson Ally Kamwe
What you need to know:
- Yanga spokesperson Ally Kamwe outlined a series of demands—both short-term and long-term—that he says the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) have either ignored or misrepresented.
Dar es Salaam. Yanga SC has doubled down on its decision to boycott the Kariakoo derby against Simba SC, citing deep-rooted structural and governance issues within Tanzanian football that the club says must be addressed before it can return to the pitch.
Speaking at the club’s headquarters on Monday evening, Yanga spokesperson Ally Kamwe outlined a series of demands—both short-term and long-term—that he says the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) have either ignored or misrepresented.
“The Board has distorted our four demands. These are not empty threats—we are serious about reform,” said Kamwe.
Short-term demands
Kamwe categorised three of Yanga’s demands as urgent and short-term in nature. These include the immediate disbandment of the League Management Committee, which the club accuses of professional incompetence in managing the 2024/25 season.
The club is also calling for the resignation of Premier League Board CEO Almas Kasongo, whom they accuse of misleading the board in the run-up to the postponement of Match No. 184, originally scheduled for March 8, 2025.
Additionally, Yanga has demanded that TFF Secretary General Wilfred Kidao step down, citing mounting frustrations over poor officiating.
“Referees continue to make critical mistakes, yet they remain on duty. The Referees’ Committee operates under the Secretary General’s office. He must take responsibility,” Kamwe said.
Call for structural reform
Yanga’s long-term demand is the establishment of an independent football board—a matter the club has referred to both the TPLB and TFF for serious consideration.
“If this issue is not treated with the urgency and weight it deserves, we may not participate in the league next season,” Kamwe warned.
New claims on prize money
In a separate statement, Kamwe also raised new concerns over the club’s unpaid prize money from the previous season’s Federation Cup triumph.
Yanga won the title last season after defeating Azam FC in a penalty shootout at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
“We’ve seen the fixture list indicating the Federation Cup final will be played on June 28. Let it be known to both organisers and sponsors that unless we receive the prize money from last season, we will not play this year’s final,” Kamwe said.
He added that the club had made several unsuccessful attempts to follow up with the relevant authorities, saying: “We’ve had enough. We’re tired of writing letter after letter—we are now going public so that the football community and the public understand what is happening.”
TFF yet to respond
When contacted for comment, TFF’s Director of Legal Affairs, Media and Marketing, Boniface Wambura, said he was travelling and referred this reporter to Secretary General Wilfred Kidao.
Repeated efforts to reach Kidao and other TFF officials were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered
