DAR ES SALAAM, March 8 -- IN the long and occasionally unbelievable history of the Kariakoo Derby, last Sundays encounter at the New Amaan Stadium Complex in Zanzibar secured its own peculiar corner in folklore.

Not necessarily for the football – though that, too, had its moments – but certainly for the theatre.

Before a ball had even been kicked, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) appeared to awaken from what critics often describe as a deep administrative slumber.

It went on to temporarily transform itself into something resembling a resident magistrates court.

TFF president Wallace Karia delivered a warning so severe that referees might reasonably have been forgiven for thinking they were about to swear on the 17 La...