After second defeat to archrivals in Tanzania derby, Simba now to drop eight players

While still nursing the wounds of pain, following a second defeat from their archrivals, Yanga in the NBC Premier League, Simba is now planning to make tough decisions.

The club’s bosses are planning an overhaul of the squad that will see them dropping between seven and eight players from the current list in the upcoming transfer window set to open in July this year.

The Msimbazi Street giants suffered a 2-1 defeat against Yanga in the return leg of the Premier League after previously conceding 5-1 goals when they met on November 5 last year. This has put them in a difficult position in the race for this season's championship, with only 46 points after 21 matches, trailing Yanga by 12 points, who lead the standings with 58 points.

Information leaked to The Citizen’s sister paper, Mwanaspoti, indicates that Simba's recent defeat has exacerbated frustration among the club's bosses. Consequently, they are considering tough decisions regarding the current squad, with up to eight players earmarked for potential exits in the upcoming major transfer window.

During the recent Kariakoo Derby match at the Mkapa Stadium, the club's officials were not only observing the game but also conducting a final evaluation of the players, recognizing the significance of the match as one of the toughest remaining fixtures.

After the match, Simba's bosses collectively agreed that the 90 minutes of game play provided them with crucial insights. This indicates that several players require thorough assessment and may face tough decisions as the club shapes the team for the next season.

Additionally, during halftime, Mwanaspoti captured Simba's top officials, led by Chairman of the Board of Directors Abdallah Salim 'Try again', engaging in brief discussions with the players, despite the team trailing 2-0.

Although the specific content of these conversations was not captured, the assessment suggests that they played a role in altering Simba's momentum, contributing to a stronger second-half performance and a goal scored by substitute Freddy Michael, following a lackluster first-half display.

Although Mwanaspoti did not directly capture the content of the discussions, it is suggested that these conversations had an impact on Simba's performance, leading to a stronger second-half display and a goal scored by substitute Freddy Michael, following a lackluster first half.

However, after the match, one of Simba's top bosses revealed to Mwanaspoti that, with the current squad, they couldn't "break through" against Yanga or in the Premier League overall. This indicates that tough decisions will be made at the end of the season.

The boss, who opted to remain anonymous, disclosed that approximately seven to eight players would undergo scrutiny, including some unexpected names, as part of the restructuring process for the new Simba squad in the upcoming season.

"Simba cannot cling to names anymore; this is the season where everyone has felt the pain of our team's situation. We play these matches due to regulatory requirements, but we've seen for ourselves where we stand," the boss emphasized.

"We need to let go of a significant number, about seven or eight players. It's crucial that the investor has approved all of this, although I see it being a bit different this time when it comes to the transfer window. Many things will change from within and even externally. It's not healthy for a big club like Simba to reach this point, but I assure you, there will be some surprising names."

Another close associate of the club shared similar sentiments, stating that Simba's current situation diverges from the goals they had set for themselves. They expressed the need for self-evaluation, as it feels like they've already concluded the season. Falling behind Yanga in points and witnessing a decline in the team's performance is disheartening, but they are determined to at least finish the season with dignity.

Fans speak out

Former Tanzanian international midfielder, Mtemi Ramadhan, who participated in the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations final, highlighted a significant issue within the team, citing a lack of sufficient fitness among the players.

"If you look at recent games, you'll notice that Simba players start the match well, but as it progresses, they seem to tire out more. For me, the fitness coach should take responsibility for this, and I don't see where he can evade blame," said the former Simba star.

Mtemi added that even if the leaders decide to remove more than seven or nine players, he doesn't see it as a permanent solution. He mentioned star players like Clatous Chama, who is the backbone of the team, sometimes appearing more fatigued on the field.

Former Simba and Taifa Stars defender, Boniface Pawasa, expressed the need for leaders to introspect because it's not fair to always blame the players when they were brought in based on initial observations.

"The leaders are seeking an outlet for the fans. If players were signed according to the technical bench's wishes, why does the team start without having natural attackers? This shows there's poor communication between them all," said Pawasa, who currently coaches the national beach soccer team.

Pawasa explained that removing more than seven players signals a complete rebuild of the team, which he disagrees with. He believes the leaders should deeply reflect on this and take the Yanga defeat as a new challenge for them.