Kibu is absent without leave, says Simba leader

Dar es Salaam. Football giants Simba's leadership has said they have no information regarding the absence of their attacking midfielder, Kibu Dennis, who is reportedly in the United States of America on vacation.

Currently, Simba players are in Ismailia, Egypt, preparing for the upcoming Mainland Tanzania Premier League season as well as the CAF Confederation Cup.

The club had ordered all players to report to the team’s camp on July 8 before departing for Ismailia for residential training. Simba’s information officer, Ahmed Ally, expressed his concern over Kibu's unexcused absence.

"I do not know where Kibu is. I have no information about his absence from the team’s camp," said Ally briefly in a telephone interview.

Kibu recently signed a three-year contract with the Msimbazi Street giants and was expected to join the team's training camp starting on July 8. His absence has caused significant concern among the club's management, coaching staff, and fans, as his presence is crucial for team cohesion and preparation.

Simba have bolstered their squad significantly with various new signings ahead of the upcoming season. Apart from reinstated players, Simba have so far recruited 13 new players who are now under head coach Fadlu Davids.

The new players are Joshua Mutale from Power Dynamos of Zambia, Steven Dese Mukwala (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Jean Charles Ahoua (Stella Club Adjame, Ivory Coast), Abdulrazack Mohamed Hamza (SuperSport United, South Africa), and Valentino Mashaka from Geita Gold FC.

Others include Augustine Okejepha (Rivers United FC, Nigeria), Debora Fernandes Mavambo (Mutondo Stars FC, Zambia), and Omary Abdallah Omary from Mashujaa FC.

Additionally, Valentino Nouma (FC Saint Eloi Lupopo, DR Congo), Chamou Karaboue (Racing Club d’Abidjan, Ivory Coast), Awesu Awesu (KMC), Yusuph Kagoma, and Kelvin Kijili from Fountain Gate FC have joined the team.

Meanwhile, Simba’s head coach Fadlu Davids has expressed pride in his squad's competitive nature, which gives him confidence for the upcoming season, despite it being his first time coaching in the Tanzanian Premier League.

Fadlu said that he has observed the individual abilities of players and has begun giving them tactical and technical training to form a team capable of performing well in various competitions.

“The competition among the players is tough. Every player is dedicated, and I have managed to see individual abilities, which is important because I know how to utilize them.

What I’m doing now is tactical and technical training to form a team capable of achieving results in various competitions,” he said.