Dar es Salaam. Unlike their last two outings under Fadlu Davids, Simba SC displayed several changes in their line-up and approach under interim coaches Hemed Suleiman ‘Morocco’ and Seleman Matola in their opening league clash against Fountain Gate.
In that match, which Simba won 3-0 courtesy of goals from Rushine De Reuck, Jonathan Sowah, and Charles Jean Ahoua, midfielder Mzamiru Yassin earned his first start since recovering from an injury that sidelined him for more than five months.
Despite regaining fitness towards the end of last season, Mzamiru had struggled to break into Fadlu’s plans, as the former head coach preferred Fabrice Ngoma and Yusuph Kagoma in the holding role, with Augustine Okejepha also featuring occasionally.
Against Fountain Gate, however, Mzamiru started alongside Kagoma, offering fans a glimpse of renewed balance in midfield.
Yet, despite the changes and the joy of victory, lingering concerns remain about Simba’s play without the ball an area that cost Fadlu dearly last season.
Same System, Familiar Structure
Although the coaching bench has changed, the tactical structure of Simba largely mirrored that of last season under Fadlu.
With possession, Simba attacked through the half-spaces, with wide forwards Ellie Mpanzu and Kibu Denis drifting inside to join playmaker Ahoua, thereby creating numerical superiority in advanced midfield zones.
In this setup, Mpanzu, Ahoua, and Kibu often lined up in a single horizontal line, while fullbacks Naby Camara and Shomary Kapombe pushed high to operate almost like wingers.
The core aim of this tactical approach was to overload the opposition’s central midfield and carve out openings. Against Fountain Gate, this strategy worked effectively, with Simba regularly forcing their opponents onto the back foot.
Midfield Dominance
One of Simba’s key tactical weapons remained their control of the central areas. With Kagoma and Mzamiru (later replaced by Kante) joining forces with Mpanzu, Ahoua, and Kibu, Simba often enjoyed a 5v2 advantage against Fountain’s midfielders.
This numerical superiority allowed Simba to dictate the tempo, spread the ball with freedom, and launch attacks at pace.
For Fountain Gate, while tactical shortcomings were evident, their work ethic and refusal to simply sit back were commendable.
They attempted quick counterattacks at intervals, but poor decision-making and lack of quality in the final third proved costly.
Lingering Weaknesses
Despite the emphatic scoreline, Simba still showed old vulnerabilities without the ball. The team often lost its defensive shape when possession was turned over, allowing Fountain Gate to break quickly.
Simba’s backline looked shaky at times, particularly when Fountain bypassed the midfield and surged directly toward goal.
While the visitors lacked the cutting edge to punish them, such weaknesses could prove costly against stronger opponents in continental competitions or in high-stakes league matches.
For Morocco and Matola, shoring up the team’s defensive structure while in possession will be a key priority moving forward.
Standout Performers
Mpanzu once again underlined his value, constantly unlocking Fountain’s defence with incisive runs, intelligent passes, and relentless energy.
He was central to Simba’s attacking spark, keeping the tempo high in dangerous areas.
Sowah wasted no time making his mark. From the early minutes, he looked hungry for a goal, firing several attempts before finally netting Simba’s third in the 58th minute.
His performance suggests he could be one of the club’s standout players this season.
Meanwhile, Ahoua picked up where he left off last campaign, contributing both a goal and an assist, reaffirming his role as the creative heartbeat of Simba’s attack.
Abraham Morice Shows Promise
Among Simba’s new faces, Abraham Morice caught the eye after coming on early in the second half for Kibu.
Despite his small frame, Morice displayed sharp football intelligence and technical ability. He opened up Fountain’s defence with quick, incisive passes and injected fresh energy into Simba’s attack.
His cameo performance was so impressive that fans left the stadium buzzing about the youngster’s potential impact this season.
Fountain’s Bright Spot: Ellie Mokono
For Fountain Gate, Ellie Mokono stood out once again as a player capable of making life difficult for any defence. Playing with composure and confidence, he caused Simba’s backline plenty of problems despite his side’s defeat.
Mokono’s influence suggests that Fountain could still be a tricky side for many opponents this season, provided they resolve ongoing squad registration issues and add more depth to their roster.
