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Title deciding derby looms as Yanga, Simba battle for glory
What you need to know:
- Yanga have publicly declared their intention not to honour the fixture, citing unresolved grievances stemming from the original match postponement on March 8.
Dar es Salaam. The traditional rivals' match between archrivals Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba SC, scheduled for June 15, is shaping up to be the decisive fixture in this season's Mainland Tanzania Premier League title race.
With just three matches remaining, the two giants are separated by a single point, with Yanga at the top of the table with 73 points from 27 matches, while Simba follow closely with 72 points from the same number of games. However, controversy surrounds the eagerly awaited derby.
Yanga have publicly declared their intention not to honour the fixture, citing unresolved grievances stemming from the original match postponement on March 8.
If they follow through with their decision, Simba will automatically be awarded a 3-0 win, while Yanga will be docked 15 points under league regulations for failing to show up without a valid reason.
This would drop Yanga to 58 points, eliminating them from the title race.
Simba, meanwhile, would move to 75 points and could seal the championship automatically despite having two matches remaining against already relegated sides, KenGold FC and Kagera Sugar. But should Yanga reverse their stance and agree to play, the derby would likely decide the fate of the title.
If Yanga win
Victory over Simba would put Yanga on 76 points, four clear of their rivals.
They would then only need one win from their remaining two matches, against Tanzania Prisons and Dodoma Jiji FC, to secure the title.
Even if Simba win their last two games, they would finish with 78 points—still one short of Yanga's potential 79.
If Simba win
A Simba win would flip the standings, putting them at 75 points—two ahead of Yanga’s 73.
With their final fixtures against two relegated teams, Simba would be in pole position to claim the title, provided they avoid any slip-ups.
If the match is drawn
A draw would leave Yanga on 74 points and Simba on 73.
In this scenario, Yanga would still have the upper hand, needing to win their remaining two matches to guarantee the title.
Simba would hope for a Yanga slip-up.
