By Business Insider Reporter
The NBC Premier League title race is heading for a dramatic finish as Yanga and Simba each hammered five goals past their opponents in resounding victories yesterday, setting the stage for a blockbuster finale at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on June 25.
Yanga thrashed hosts Tanzania Prisons 5–0 at CCM Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya, while Simba dismantled already-relegated Ken Gold by the same margin in Tabora. The two victories came during the penultimate round – Matchday 29 – of the 30-match NBC Premier League campaign.
All league teams now have one game remaining, except for Yanga and Simba who each have two. One of those final fixtures will see the country’s fiercest rivals meet in the highly anticipated Kariakoo Derby, which is widely expected to decide the 2024–25 NBC Premier League championship.
Standings Snapshot
Team Matches Points Goal Difference
Yanga 28 76 +66
Simba SC 28 75 +57
Azam FC 29 60 +36
Yanga maintained their narrow one-point lead over Simba with yesterday’s win. Azam FC, although having had a strong season, remain 16 points off the pace and are now mathematically out of the title race.
Before their decisive showdown, Simba will first face Kagera Sugar, another relegated side, while Yanga will travel to Zanzibar to play Dodoma Jiji. Victory for either team would boost momentum ahead of the derby.
Derby Day: The season decider
The June 25 clash at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium will be more than just another league fixture—it’s a potential title decider, with everything on the line.
Here’s what’s at stake at derby:
Yanga need just a draw – assuming they avoid defeat against Dodoma Jiji – to seal their fourth consecutive title and 26th in club history.
Simba must first beat Kagera Sugar and then overcome Yanga in the derby to leapfrog their rivals and lift the title.
While goal difference is unlikely to factor in, Yanga’s +66 margin gives them a crucial buffer.
Yanga have shown defensive consistency throughout the season, conceding just 10 goals in 28 games. Simba, meanwhile, will need clinical attacking form to unlock Yanga’s resilient backline.
Both teams are led by experienced managers and have faced high-pressure derbies before, but this one promises to be the most significant in recent memory.
As the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) gear up for a thrilling finale, the entire nation is watching.
The derby will not only crown the champions of Tanzanian football but will also mark the culmination of a fierce season of rivalry, strategy, and ambition. For Yanga, Simba and millions of fans across the country, it’s all or nothing.
