The 60,000-seater national stadium, which has served as the home ground for both clubs this season after they moved away from the smaller KMC Complex, will undergo extensive pitch upgrades starting this month
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s football giants Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba SC will be forced to seek alternative venues for their Mainland Premier League and continental fixtures following the government’s confirmation of a six-month closure of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for major renovations.
The 60,000-seater national stadium, which has served as the home ground for both clubs this season after they moved away from the smaller KMC Complex, will undergo extensive pitch upgrades starting this month.
Yanga have already hosted Angola’s Wiliete FC in the CAF Champions League and Pamba Jiji FC in the league at the facility, while Simba played their league ties against Fountain Gate FC and Namungo FC there, in addition to their CAF Champions League clash with Botswana’s Gaborone United.
CAF’s official fixture list shows that Yanga are scheduled to welcome Malawi’s Silver Strikers in a Champions League return leg on October 25, a week after the first leg in Lilongwe.
Their arch-rivals Simba are due to host Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs at the same venue on October 26, following the away leg on October 18.
However, these fixtures are now in doubt depending on when the renovations officially commence.
Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, confirmed that the closure affects both clubs.
“Simba’s recent match against Namungo was the last league game to be staged at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium before work begins. Renovations are scheduled to last six months,” said Msigwa.
“The venue will only be available for international matches if the timing does not clash with construction. If work has already started, then even CAF fixtures will be shifted.”
To minimize disruption, the government has already proposed alternative venues.
“We have the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar and the Azam Complex in Chamazi. It will be up to the clubs to choose,” Msigwa explained.
He added that another long-term solution is Uhuru Stadium, which is currently under renovation and is expected to reopen on November 21.
“Uhuru Stadium will be equipped with high-quality artificial turf approved by CAF and FIFA. Once complete, it will be able to host both international and CAF matches,” he noted.
The closure of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium marks a significant shift for Yanga and Simba, who have enjoyed massive home support at the iconic venue.
With crucial CAF Champions League ties around the corner, the two Tanzanian giants now face the challenge of selecting new temporary homes that can maintain their competitive edge and fan atmosphere.
