THE Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has officially postponed the Premier League match between Simba SC and Dodoma Jiji FC, which was initially scheduled for tomorrow at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam.

The decision follows an accident involving Dodoma Jiji FC’s team bus at Somanga, in Kilwa, Lindi, on their way to Dar es Salaam from Ruangwa, Lindi, where they had played a 2-2 draw against Namungo FC in a league match last Sunday.

In an official statement, TPLB confirmed that match number 148 of the Premier League has been postponed due to the health condition of Dodoma Jiji FC players and technical staff affected by the accident.

“The Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has postponed match number 148 of the NBC Premier League (Simba SC vs Dodoma Jiji), which was scheduled to be played at the KMC Complex on February 15, 2025, at 04:00 pm. 

“The reason for the postponement is that some of the players and technical officials of Dodoma Jiji FC are not in good health following the accident involving the club’s bus as they travelled from Ruangwa, Lindi,” read part of the TPLB statement.

The board acknowledged that the accident had significantly impacted Dodoma Jiji FC, causing delays in their travel plans and disrupting their technical preparations due to injuries sustained by some players and officials.

“The accident has caused a negative impact on Dodoma Jiji FC by delaying their journey to Dar es Salaam and affecting their preparations due to the absence of players and technical staff injured in the accident. The board will announce a new date for the game soon,” the statement added.

On Wednesday, Dodoma Jiji FC provided an update on their official pages, confirming that the team had safely returned to Dodoma and was received by city council officials. The club also stated that medical evaluations for injured members would continue.

“Our team has arrived safely in Dodoma City and was received by the City Council management. After the reception, medical procedures will continue for all the injured at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital later today,” read the club’s statement.

The unfortunate accident involving Dodoma Jiji FC marks the second incident this season where a team has been affected by a road accident, leading to match postponement. 

Earlier in the season, JKT Tanzania also suffered a similar fate when their team bus was involved in an accident on October 27, 2024. 

Consequently, their match against Simba SC, initially scheduled for October 29, 2024, had to be rescheduled.

The latest incident has once again raised concerns over road safety for teams traveling long distances for Premier League matches. 

The TPLB is expected to continue monitoring the situation and determine a suitable rescheduled date for the Simba SC vs Dodoma Jiji FC fixture once the affected players and officials recover.