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It is Simba Day
What you need to know:
- Simba are going to face Zambia’s giants Power Dynamos from 7pm as President Samia Suluhu Hassan will be the guest of honour in the encounter to mark the club's 87th anniversary
Dar es Salaam. The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam is going to be a hive of activity today as it hosts both the 14th edition of Simba Day and the marking of the club’s 87th anniversary.
Simba, one of the highly decorated clubs in the country, use the event to, among other things, unveil their squad for the upcoming Mainland Tanzania Premier League season and award their outstanding players and members, who have contributed immensely to the club.
To spice up the ‘big day,’ The Reds of Msimbazi Street are going to face Zambia’s giants Power Dynamos in the international friendly that kicks off at 7pm and President Samia Suluhu Hassan will be the guest of honour.
The annual event is increasingly becoming popular among Simba supporters and football fans, taking place a few days before the top flight comes to life. The team head coach, Roberto Oliviera 'Robertinho', said yesterday that he was optimistic about Power Dynamos giving his squad the warm-up they need to make a mark in the next season’s league as well as in international competitions. He said most of his players have improved and are ready to do their best in the encounter.
“My players are in good shape and I believe all football fans attending the encounter will get the entertainment they deserve. We have trained for a month and all my teachings have been received positively by the players,” said Robertinho.
He said their main target is to win all titles in the Mainland Tanzania as well as do their best in international competitions.
“We have a huge task to do domestically and internationally, our players’ registration exercise focused on all the competitions in which we are going to feature the next season,” he said. The Msimbazi Street men underwent residential training for about one month in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of the international friendly and the Community Shield tournament, which is scheduled to take place at the Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga Region.
Simba will be facing Singida Fountain Gate FC on August 10 and the winners will be clashing with the winners between Young Africans (Yanga) and Azam FC, who meet on August 9 at the same venue.
In the CAF Champions League, Simba, who have been given a bye, will face the winners between African Stars of Namibia and Power Dynamo of Zambia.
Simba, who managed to win the Mainland Tanzania Premier League title four times before being dethroned by their bitter rivals Yanga, have missed the title for two consecutive seasons dominated by Yanga.
The Reds have managed to sign various new players for the next season including Leandre Onana, Aubin Kouame, Che Fondoh Malone and David Kameta alias Duchu.
Also, on the list are Fabrice Ngoma, Shabani Chilunda, Abdallah Hamis, Hussein Kazi and Luis Miquissone.
The Simba Day activities will be coloured by curtain raisers including the team’s U-17, U-20 and women’s team known as Simba Queens. There will also be an entertainment from various Bongo Flava artistes as well as musicians.
