Fadlu first signalled his intention to leave immediately after Simba’s Community Shield defeat to arch rivals Yanga on September 16. Despite management’s efforts to persuade him to continue, he remained resolute in his decision to part ways
Dar es Salaam. One of Tanzania’s football giants, Simba, are set to part ways with head coach Fadlu Davids, whose days at the club are numbered.
The South African tactician is now poised to return to Raja Casablanca of Morocco after reaching an agreement with the club.
His departure brings to a close a relatively short but eventful stint at the helm of the Tanzanian giants.
Fadlu first signalled his intention to leave immediately after Simba’s Community Shield defeat to arch rivals Yanga on September 16. Despite management’s efforts to persuade him to continue, he remained resolute in his decision to part ways.
According to sources within the club, his final decision came after Simba’s hard-fought 1-0 away victory against Gaborone United in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
It was then that he informed the club hierarchy he would not be extending his stay and instead would be rejoining Raja Casablanca.
“It is true the coach is leaving. The reports are accurate,” a Simba insider confirmed. Reports further suggest that after the Gaborone fixture in Botswana, Davids bid farewell to his players, the technical staff, and officials who accompanied the squad. It is even possible that he may travel directly to Morocco rather than returning to Tanzania.
Just days earlier, Simba had mounted a last-ditch effort to convince him to remain. However, Davids—who cited personal reasons for his decision—appeared swayed by two key factors: a lucrative offer from Raja Casablanca and the mounting pressure he faced at Simba following the painful defeat to Yanga.
Those circumstances appear to have convinced him that his future lay back in Morocco, where he previously coached before moving to Tanzania.
Davids departs Simba with mixed results. His biggest achievement came on the continental stage, guiding Simba to the CAF Confederation Cup final earlier this year.
However, they fell short of glory, losing 3-1 on aggregate to RS Berkane of Morocco after a 2-0 loss away and a 1-1 draw at home.
On the domestic front, his record is less impressive. Simba finished last season as runners-up in the Mainland Premier League, failing to wrestle back the title from rivals Yanga. In the CRDB Federation Cup, their campaign ended at the semifinal stage with a 3-1 defeat to Singida Black Stars.
Perhaps most damaging to Davids’ reputation at Simba was his record in the “Kariakoo Derby.” In four meetings with Yanga during his tenure, Simba lost all four matches two in the league and two in the Community Shield.
Even more telling, his team failed to score a single goal against their fiercest rivals while conceding five times.
