Simba's boycott of the game against their hometown team, Yanga, has taken a new turn after the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) issued a statement that the match is still as scheduled
Simba issued a statement last night saying that it will not bring the team to the stadium for the game following the team's convoy being blocked last night to conduct its final training at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, which will be used for the match
Simba was blocked by a group of people believed to be Yanga fans known as the commandos, while also citing the stadium manager as claiming that he had no information that the Reds would be going to train at the stadium.
The Chairman of the Tanzania Premier League Board, Steven Mnguto, has said that despite Simba's claim that it will not bring the team, the game is still as scheduled, while urging fans who have purchased tickets to prepare to go to the stadium.
"We have heard all the incidents and are monitoring them from the stage they occurred, there are previous reports that we have not received various managers and we are working on them," said Mnguto
"First, I would like to reassure football fans and stakeholders in general. The game is still as our football calendar says, there are no changes, fans should plan to come and watch the game"
Mnguto added that following Simba's statement, he has called an emergency meeting of the league management committee that will discuss the incident that occurred last night
"I have called this emergency meeting to be held this morning. Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate, but I have instructed my deputy to preside over this incident that occurred yesterday and this statement from Simba," said Mnguto