Joash Onyango’s Simba announce special tickets that will get fans chauffeured under police escort

Tanzania league champions Simba SC have raised the stakes ahead of this weekend’s highly-billed Kariakoo derby against bitter rivals Yanga.

Simba host Yanga on Sunday in what is one of Africa’s biggest matches with more than just three points at stake as bragging rights will also be on the line for the Dar es Salaam-based giants.

Robertinho’s men are already playing catch up in the league as they are eight points behind leaders Yanga but ahead of the big match, the club has come up with a special category of tickets as a way of making the occasion memorable for their supporters.

"For the first time in the Kariakoo derby, we will have executive tickets. The tickets will cost Tsh40,000 (Ksh2,287) each. Holders of these tickets will get a gate pass and drinks while in the stands,” Simba spokesperson Ahmed Ally said on Tuesday.

"We will also have platinum tickets for the first time and each will go for Tsh150,000 (Ksh8,576). With this ticket, you will get chauffeured to and from the stadium with police escort in tow, food and drinks at halftime, as well as a special gift.”

Yanga are in pole position to retain their title as they sit at the summit with 68 points from 25 matches, eight ahead of their bitter rivals but the Simba hierarchy have called on the players to ensure Wekundu wa Msimbazi retain their pride.

“We have a good squad to get a positive result in this big match. It is up to the players to make history in the derby,” added Ally. “They must know that they have a responsibility to make the fans happy. We have won bigger and tougher matches; we cannot lose to Yanga.”

Yanga have a slight advantage in the Kariakoo derby, having claimed 22 wins to Simba’s 18 down the years, while there have been eight draw, including this season, when they played out a 1-1 stalemate last October.