Dar es Salaam. “Last season at Simba we laid the foundation, but this year is about winning trophies. The transfer window is closed, I trust my players completely, and I am very satisfied with the squad we have assembled. As a coach, I will fight with this group to build a competitive team this season.”
These were the words of Simba’s head coach Fadluraghman ‘Fadlu’ Davids, spoken during a press conference on September 9, 2025, just a day before the grand celebration of Simba Day.
He repeated the same statement during the Simba Day festivities, which concluded with the unveiling of the new squad and a friendly clash against Gor Mahia of Kenya at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
This is Fadlu’s second season in charge of the Msimbazi giants. In his first campaign, the South African tactician emphasized that he was building a team for the future an approach fully endorsed by the club’s leadership.
In the process, Simba reached the CAF Confederation Cup final, finished second in the Tanzanian Premier League behind rivals Yanga, and were eliminated in the semi-finals of the FA Cup by Singida Black Stars.
Despite the progress made, Simba ended that season empty-handed, without a single trophy to show for their efforts.
Now, the time for transition and patience has expired. This year, Davids and his technical bench are under immense pressure to turn promise into glory by delivering titles.
The stakes are high: Simba have not won the league championship for four consecutive seasons, a drought that has allowed bitter rivals Yanga to dominate.
The last time Simba lifted the Premier League trophy was in the 2020-2021 campaign, a season that capped their own four-year reign before Yanga dramatically flipped the script. For a club of Simba’s stature, such a barren run is unacceptable.
New Faces for a New Season
To mount a serious title challenge, Simba acted decisively in the recently concluded transfer window, which closed on September 7, 2025. The club recruited a host of new players to strengthen every department:
Yakoub Suleiman (goalkeeper)
Naby Camara (midfielder/defender)
Vedastus Masinde (centre-back)
Wilson Nangu (centre-back)
Anthony Mligo (left-back)
Rushine De Reuck (centre-back)
Alassane Kanté (central midfielder)
Morice Abraham (central midfielder)
Mohammed Bajaber (attacking midfielder)
Hussein Semfuko (midfielder)
Jonathan Sowah (striker)
Seleman Mwalimu (striker)
Neo Maema (attacking midfielder)
In addition, three players were promoted from the Simba U20 side: Alexander Erasto, Ally Mbegu and Bashir Salum.
The arrivals, however, came with departures. Long-serving goalkeeper Aishi Manula left the club, along with Mohamed Hussein, Fabrice Ngoma, Valentine Nouma, Hussein Kazi, Augustine Okejepha, Kelvin Kijili, Debora Mavambo, Che Fondoh Malone, Edwin Balua, Ally Salim, and Leonel Ateba. Youngsters Saleh Karabaka and Valentino Mashaka joined JKT Tanzania on loan, while Omary Omary was loaned to Mashujaa.
The Core Squad
With the squad trimmed and refreshed, Simba now boast 28 senior players, excluding the three youth promotions who will be gradually integrated into the first team.
Among the goalkeepers, Moussa Camara remains the standout after finishing last season as the Golden Glove winner with 19 clean sheets in the league.
He is joined by Hussein Abel and the new signing Yakoub Suleiman.
Defensively, the team is anchored by a solid backline featuring David Kameta, Anthony Mligo, Naby Camara, Abdulrazack Hamza, Rushine De Reuck, Chamou Karaboue, Vedastus Masinde, Wilson Nangu, and veteran Shomari Kapombe.
In midfield, options abound with Yusuph Kagoma, Alassane Kanté, Awesu Awesu, Morice Abraham, Kibu Denis, Hussein Semfuko, Joshua Mutale, Mzamiru Yassin, Mohammed Bajaber, Ladack Chasambi, Neo Maema, Jean Charles Ahoua, and Elie Mpanzu.
The attacking department is spearheaded by Steven Mukwala, Seleman Mwalimu, and Jonathan Sowah a trio expected to shoulder the responsibility of scoring goals that were too often missed last season.
The Technical Bench
Fadlu Davids leads a restructured technical team tasked with bringing Simba back to the summit of Tanzanian football. His assistants are Darian Wilken and club legend Seleman Matola, providing tactical and motivational support.
The rest of the bench includes:
Wayne Sandilands (Goalkeeping Coach)
Riedoh Berdien (Fitness Coach)
Mueez Kajee (Performance Analyst)
Patrick Rweyemamu (Team Manager)
Hamis Mtambo (Kit Manager)
This diverse group combines experience, modern methods, and local knowledge ingredients critical for a club aiming to reclaim its dominance domestically and make a mark continentally.
The Final Word
For Simba, the narrative this season is straightforward: no more excuses.
With a reinforced squad, renewed energy, and an ambitious technical team, the Red Giants are expected to fight for every trophy available.
And for Fadlu Davids, the message is even clearer: after a season of building and near-misses, he is now judged by silverware.
