By Paul Charles Mabuga, MWANZA Tanzania
The highly anticipated Kariakoo Derby, a football clash between Tanzanian football giants Yanga SC and Simba SC, is finally set for June 25 after a protracted saga that has exposed deep-seated issues within the country's football administration. 
Tanzania president, Samia Hassan (third left) in a group picture with Simba S C leaders, immediately after meeting Simba na Yanga leaders in state house Dodoma
What began as a simple fixture postponement on March 8 escalated into a full-blown crisis, culminating in republic presidential intervention and significant leadership changes.
This dramatic episode of 'Hatuchezi' telenovela, offers invaluable lessons for all stakeholders in Tanzanian football, though it has, crucially, only scratched the surface of the problems plaguing the sport and leaving the deep rooted 'madudu washa.’
The journey to the June 25 kick-off was anything but smooth. The original match on March 8 was postponed under cloudy circumstances, followed by a rescheduled date of June 15, which Yanga vehemently boycotted.
Their stance was clear and uncompromising: they would not play unless their demands were met, including the resignation of key officials within the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB).
And remarkably, their demands were largely conceded.
The TPLB Chairman, Steven Mguto, has resigned, and the CEO, Almas Kasongo, has been suspended.
While not all of Yanga's initial demands, which reportedly included the TFF Secretary General Wilfred Kidao's resignation and greater autonomy for the TPLB, have been explicitly met, the changes at the top of the league board represent a significant victory for the Jangwani Street club.
President Hassan with Yanga leaders at State house
However questions still rooms in trousers, if the pressures were on personality grounds or some other reasons not known to public.
What do we learn from this extraordinary saga?
- The Power of the Clubs, Especially the Big Ones: Yanga's unwavering stance demonstrated the immense power that dominant clubs wield in a footballing nation. By threatening to boycott not just the derby but potentially other matches and even the next season, Yanga twisted the hands of the authorities. This showcases that clubs, when united and resolute in their demands for better governance, can indeed bring about change. It serves as a potent reminder that football governing bodies exist to serve the game and its primary actors – the clubs and players.
- The Fragility of Football Governance: The repeated postponements and the inability of TFF and TPLB to resolve the dispute internally speak volumes about the institutional weaknesses within Tanzanian football. The initial lack of clear communication, coupled with what appeared to be an unresponsive bureaucracy, allowed the situation to fester. The ultimate need for State House intervention underscores a concerning lack of independent authority and effective dispute resolution mechanisms within the footballing structures. This raises critical questions about the autonomy of these bodies and their capacity to manage the sport without external influence.
- The Crucial Role of State House as the Ultimate Arbitrator: President Samia Suluhu Hassan's intervention was the turning point of the hatuchezi dramatic arc. While it brought a much-needed resolution to a brewing crisis, it also highlights a pattern where political leadership is often called upon to settle disputes that should ideally be handled by independent sports bodies. While this ensures stability in the short term, it can, in the long run, erode the independence and credibility of football governance. A robust and autonomous TPLB, as Yanga themselves advocated for, is essential to prevent such recurring interventions.
- The Demand for Accountability and Transparency is Growing: Yanga's specific demands for resignations point to a broader desire for greater accountability and transparency in the administration of the league and football in general. Clubs and fans are no longer content with opaque decision-making and perceived biases. The willingness of officials to step down, whether voluntarily or under pressure, signifies an acknowledgment that public confidence in the leadership was severely tested.
- A Call for Structural Reforms: The saga reinforces the urgent need for comprehensive structural reforms within Tanzanian football. The TPLB's current semi-autonomous status under TFF seems to hinder its ability to operate effectively and impartially. A truly independent league board, equipped with its own funding models and decision-making powers, could foster a more professional and fair environment for all clubs.
However, amidst the relief of a rescheduled derby, a critical question looms: Has this crisis merely addressed a symptom, leaving deeper ailments untouched?
While the immediate issue of the derby fixture and some leadership changes have been effected, numerous other pressing concerns continue to cast a shadow over Tanzanian football.
Pending Challenges and the Fear Factor:
The football community remains acutely aware of pervasive issues such as allegations of match-fixing, which erode the integrity of the game. Despite past instances of bans on individuals involved in such activities, the perception of its persistence remains a major concern.
Similarly, poor refereeing continues to be a frequent complaint from clubs and fans alike, often leading to accusations of bias and unfair outcomes.
There are also ongoing discussions and past controversies surrounding questionable sponsorships, with Yanga SC and it's main sponsor having faced scrutiny regarding certain other clubs' commercial contractual deals and their implications for fair play and league integrity.
The success of Yanga's pressure tactics, while achieving their immediate goals, also presents a double-edged sword for the TFF and TPLB.
Will the sport bodies now be able to address these other fundamental problems with genuine resolve, or will their actions be perpetually affected by the fear of similar strong-arm tactics from influential clubs?
The experience of Yanga's boycott and the subsequent high-level intervention could set a dangerous precedent, making it harder for the governing bodies to enforce regulations impartially without facing the risk of another crisis.
For Tanzanian football to truly flourish, the TFF and a newly reformed, independent TPLB must demonstrate their capacity to tackle these deep-seated issues head-on, free from fear or favour.
The Kariakoo Derby saga has provided a stark wake-up call; now, the real test begins: building a foundation of trust, fairness, and accountability that can withstand the pressures of powerful clubs and ensure the long-term health and credibility of the beautiful game in Tanzania.
Paul Charles Mabuga is a retired TV journalist and Factual Film Maker based in Mwanza Tanzania. Can be reached through +255759649673, mabugap@gmail.com
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