But in the afternoon of May 8, we received the notification from TFF that the match has been pushed forward to 19:00 EAT. We acted on the directions of the notice and rescheduled the game accordingly. Through the TPLB, we notified all the teams and stakeholders responsible including the fans at the stadium through notifications on online platforms. The notification to the team was made at least three hours before the kick-off time. After TPLB was satisfied that the teams and fans had been accordingly informed, we went on to make plans for the game to be played at 19:00 EAT. Yanga arrived at the stadium at 16:20 EAT, went to the pitch at 16:35 and carried out their pre-match light training session until 16:50. The players and the coaches came again at 17:10 EAT and remained therefore for 10 minutes before finally leaving.
I am not blaming myself for what I did but I am hurt with the fact that the fans did not get what they deserved. I feel guilty that my voice was used to bring the fans pain, and had to seek forgiveness from the fans, especially those who came at the Mkapa Stadium. Yes, I might not be responsible for what happened, but I will be stupid for not apologising.
On Sunday, the Tanzania Football Federation asked the Tanzania Premier League Board to shed light on the cancellation of the Kariakoo Derby.
The Federation states it was saddened by what transpired and has tasked the TPLB to come up with a solution.
TFF President Wallace Karia has told
Goal they will issue a statement on what forced the derby to be canceled and also moved to assure fans who had gained access to the match venue that their money was safe.
“We are going to issue a statement on what transpired to have the derby moved from the earlier set time and why it was postponed,” Karia told
Goal on Monday.
“For now, we don’t know what happened, and I cannot talk about it, but in regards to the fans who had purchased tickets for the match, I want to assure them their money is safe, it will not get lost and they will get a refund.
We all know Yanga did not do good by refusing to play and per the rules they should be relegated to the third tier and Simba be awarded three points and two goals, the reigning champions said in a statement obtained by
Goal. What Yanga did is like a betrayal to the country and the government who had ordered the match to be pushed forward by two hours. We believe the postponement of the game was done intentionally by the Tanzania Premier League Board to favour Yanga who were obligated to obey the guidelines from the government through TFF. Simba are saddened by the decision of the TPLB and urge respective authorities to investigate the matter fully including the reason why Yanga were allowed to access the stadium before the time. We have also written to those authorities over the same.