Yanga to host Kenya’s Bandari in Mwananchi Day friendly

The football rivalry between Kenya and Tanzania is set to take a new turn next month as Tanzanian Premier League champions Yanga SC host Bandari FC of Kenya in an international club friendly match scheduled for September 12 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The match will serve as the climax of Mwananchi Day—Yanga’s annual fan festival that celebrates the club’s identity and connects supporters with players ahead of the new season.

Although billed as a pre-season friendly, the game is drawing regional attention as it comes on the heels of recent tensions during the ongoing CHAN games, where the national teams of Kenya (Harambee Stars) and Tanzania (Taifa Stars) failed to settle their long-standing rivalry.

According to Bandari FC CEO Tony Kibwana, the team will travel to Tanzania on August 30 for a pre-season camp that includes a series of matches against local opposition. The friendly against Yanga will be the highlight of their tour.

“We will leave Mombasa on the 30th for Tanzania, where we’ll have our pre-season, including a tournament with various local clubs. The climax will be against Yanga FC during Mwananchi Day,” Kibwana confirmed.

Bandari are hoping to draw inspiration from their previous success on Tanzanian soil, having beaten Simba SC at the same venue in a past match.

Kibwana added that while the team has lost a few key players, they are set to unveil new signings who, he believes, will have a major impact.

“Yes, we’ve lost key players, but soon we will unveil our new lineup, and I’m confident they will do wonders,” he said.

Bandari contributed five players to the Harambee Stars CHAN squad, including goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo, who returns to familiar territory, having played in the Tanzanian league.

Meanwhile, Yanga had four players in the Taifa Stars lineup, led by forward Clement Mzize.

Tensions are already rising ahead of the encounter, with Yanga’s spokesperson Ali Kamwe suggesting the match carries national significance beyond club football.

“This will not be just a friendly match. I want Kenyans to hear this—we have handed over our national frustrations to Yanga. They will defend Tanzania’s pride against Bandari,” Kamwe told a local Tanzanian radio station.