Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba, mainland Tanzania's defending champions, will play their home matches in the CAF Champions League group stage at Zanzibar's New Amaan Stadium. This development comes as Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam is still awaiting approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The New Amaan Complex is currently the only Tanzanian venue cleared to host continental matches. As a result, Tanzania's four representatives in CAF club competitions will have to consider Zanzibar as their home base.
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) confirmed the arrangement, stating that the approval covers all Tanzanian clubs participating in this season's continental competitions. Apart from Yanga and Simba, Azam FC and Singida Black Stars will also use the Zanzibar facility for their CAF Confederation Cup assignments. The national football team, Taifa Stars, will also use the New Amaan Stadium for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
Clifford Ndimbo, TFF Information and Media Manager, confirmed that New Amaan Complex is the only stadium approved by CAF for use in its competitions. He revealed that efforts are underway to secure CAF approval for Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam following improvements being carried out to bring the facility up to the required standards. This would give Tanzanian clubs another option when organising their home fixtures.
The possible approval of Uhuru Stadium would be a significant development for Simba, allowing the club to play its continental home fixtures in Dar es Salaam instead of travelling to Zanzibar. This would ease logistical demands involving players, officials and supporters. Simba have expressed interest in using Uhuru Stadium for their continental assignments.
For Yanga and Simba, playing their Champions League home matches in Zanzibar presents a different challenge, particularly in terms of travel arrangements and supporters' access. Both clubs traditionally enjoy strong backing in Dar es Salaam and regularly attract substantial crowds for domestic and continental fixtures.
Nevertheless, New Amaan Complex offers Zanzibar football supporters an opportunity to watch some of Africa's leading club sides compete on home soil. The presence of Yanga and Simba is expected to generate considerable interest given their large following across the country and ambitions to progress beyond the group stage.
The reliance on one approved venue raises questions about fixture coordination, pitch management and the stadium's ability to accommodate a busy schedule of continental matches. TFF and the clubs will need to work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the facility remains suitable throughout the campaign.
Key points
- New Amaan Complex is currently the only Tanzanian venue cleared to host continental matches.
- Yanga and Simba will play their home matches in the CAF Champions League group stage at Zanzibar's New Amaan Stadium.
- Efforts are underway to secure CAF approval for Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
