SIMBA Sports Club have put an end to speculation by confirming it will travel to Zanzibar for its Mainland Premier League clash against arch-rivals Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga), scheduled for March 1 at the New Amaan Complex.

The statement dismisses rumours that Simba could boycott the match following a letter the club had written to the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) seeking clarification on several issues ahead of the highly anticipated derby.

Simba’s information and communications manager, Ahmed Ally (pictured), said the team has no doubts about fulfilling the fixture in Zanzibar and is ready to surprise many.

“We are going to the derby. Why wouldn’t we go when the match has been scheduled? We have no problem. The match is on and we will travel,” said Ally.

Many fans had been waiting for the club’s official position before making travel arrangements to Zanzibar to witness the match. Some supporters had grown concerned due to recent derbies being surrounded by confusion and regulatory disputes, with some fixtures even postponed.

Before the June 25 clash last year - which Young Africans won 2-0 - the derby had been postponed twice. It was initially scheduled for March 8 but did not take place, and a rescheduled June 15 date also failed to materialise.

Although Simba did not publicly detail the contents of its letter to the League Board, reports indicate the club sought clarification on why the match was moved to Zanzibar instead of being played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. 

Simba also questioned why Young Africans’ information officer, Ali Kamwe, announced the venue before the League Board made an official communication.

Sources further indicate that Simba also queried the eligibility of Young Africans’ new signing, Mohamed Damaro, who joined from Singida Black Stars during the mid-season transfer window.

However, the League Board, through its information officer Karim Boimanda, clarified the reasons for moving the fixture to Zanzibar.

“The only reason for relocating the match was that Benjamin Mkapa Stadium had other commitments on that date. There is a regulation which addresses venue matters and clearly states that in exceptional or emergency circumstances where the home team’s stadium is unavailable or faces challenges, the club must inform the League Board or propose an alternative venue. 

“Once the League Board receives that communication, it proceeds with its administrative process, including verifying that the proposed venue meets regulatory standards,” Boimanda explained.

Ally added that after completing their league fixtures against Prisons and Dodoma Jiji, Simba will officially shift focus to preparations for the derby.

“When the time comes, we will speak more about it. We are not underdogs in any way. Yanga have created pressure and are now afraid of it themselves. Simba have no concerns. 

“We will finish these two matches and then prepare properly - and we will not approach this game the way we usually do,” Ally said.