Tanzanian giants Yanga SC are contemplating withdrawal from the CRDB Cup final later this month due to three years of unpaid prize money for winning the prestigious tournament.
Yanga, winners of the last three editions of Tanzania’s FA Cup, claim they have not received their prize monies.
They won the 2021/22 season by defeating Coastal Union and then beat Azam FC in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 editions. The CRDB Cup debacle arises as Yanga refuses to participate in the re-scheduled Kariakoo Derby after Simba SC failed to fulfill the original fixture.
The match was rescheduled for June 15, but indications suggest it will not occur. Adding to the drama, Yanga has officially notified the Tanzania Football Federation [TFF] that they will not fulfil the fixture on June 28. This year’s final will feature Yanga competing against Singida Black Stars in Zanzibar. The final has been scheduled for 28 June.
In a statement, Yanga said they had taken note of claims by the TFF that they owe the Federation money. However, the club said they expected clarity or a “breakdown of the alleged debt.”
WHAT YANGA SC SAID ABOUT THE CRDB CUP
“We would like to inform the public that Young Africans SC has never received any prize money for winning the Federation Cup [CRDB Cup] for three consecutive seasons — 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024,” said Yanga.
“TFF has been withholding this prize money in their accounts at the end of each season, fully aware that doing so is wrong and goes against proper procedures. There is no written documentation proving that TFF has ever paid Young Africans SC the prize money for any of those seasons.
“It is shameful, embarrassing, and tarnishes the image of the tournament sponsor to run a competition without paying the champion for three consecutive seasons. We stress that the proper solution to a debt is timely payment. This is the rightful due of the winner and a mark of respect for the tournament sponsor.
“For clarity, the foreign players’ registration fees referenced in TFF’s statement are paid at the beginning of a new season, while prize money for the championship is paid at the end of the season.
“Young Africans SC has never received any formal communication from TFF regarding any outstanding debt owed by the club.
“The leadership of Young Africans SC continues to demand the immediate payment of the Federation Cup (CRDB Cup) prize money for the 2023/2024 season, in order to be able to participate in the Final match scheduled for June 28, 2025.”
Meanwhile, TFF spokesperson Clifford Ndimbo told FARPost there was “no issue” when contacted for comment.
“What we know is that there’s some money from Yanga; they’re supposed to pay different fees to the TFF,” Ndimbo added.
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