Dar es Salaam. Simba SC on Sunday, December 7, 2025, suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season after a clinical and tactically superior Azam FC brushed them aside 2-0 — a result that deepens the clouds already hovering over the red half of Msimbazi.
The loss arrives at a difficult moment; only recently Simba were beaten in back-to-back CAF Champions League group fixtures 1-0 by Petro de Luanda and 2-1 by Stade Malien defeats that brought an end to the tenure of coach Dimitar Pantev.
Today (Sunday) at Benjamin Mkapa stadium, Seleman Matola stood on the touchline, but the outcome remained painfully familiar.
Azam approached the match with intelligence, patience and structural discipline.
Their plan revolved around stretching the field, utilising the wide channels more aggressively and building numerical superiority on the flanks, a strategy that eventually delivered goals from Japhet Kitambala and Iddy Semelan ‘Nado’.
With Feisal Salum floating between lines as the creative heartbeat, Azam repeatedly fashioned overloads that forced Simba to defend in uncomfortable situations.
They were calm, organised and fearless in key moments.
Simba relied heavily on central play, deploying their wingers to cut infield and combine with the No.10, attempting to overload Azam’s double pivot of Himid and Kanouté.
In the early stages this created brief glimmers of danger, but poor decision-making in the final action meant those opportunities rarely matured into high-quality chances.
Azam remained compact, absorbing pressure and waiting for the right moments to strike.
Defensively, the Chamazi giants were outstanding.
Their three lines operated in close proximity particularly in the second half denying Simba both vertical and horizontal access into half-spaces.
It was an execution of defensive organisation that dismantled Simba’s usual attacking rhythm.
Every attempted penetration met a wall; every combination was suffocated early.
As the match progressed, Simba’s intensity dropped noticeably.
Their recovery runs slowed, rest defence loosened and spaces began to open everywhere.
Azam recognised the moment with precision; they increased tempo, shifted play quicker and released their wide players more aggressively.
Feisal’s drifting wide created fresh passing angles and stretched Simba into constant readjustment.
With every switch of play, Simba grew increasingly exposed. Azam moved the ball forward with purpose, full of vertical bravery.
Their wide movements were coordinated, timed and destructive.
Once they arrived in the final third, there was no hesitation just execution.
Two moments of ruthless finishing sealed the contest, showcasing Azam’s quality where Simba lacked it.
Individually, Azam had stand-out performances across the pitch.
Goalkeeper Foba commanded his area when called upon.
Mpanzu controlled duels, physically imposing and difficult to bypass.
Himid refused to be a passenger every duel, every interception mattered.
Morice dictated tempo with composure, rarely wasting possession.
Feisal ensured that every pocket of space Simba surrendered became a threat.
Simba’s defensive shape remained too narrow even when out of possession, a risk Azam exploited.
One simple switch of play placed Simba on the edge, and when Feisal drifted wide to receive, trouble followed.
Their pressing was delayed, their structural reshaping too slow.
Azam were always one step ahead.
Saadun, from the flank, delivered one of the game’s most electric performances pace, creativity and constant penetration.
Had he been slightly sharper with his final ball, he could easily have registered a hat-trick of assists.
His movement alone destabilised the Simba back line throughout.
For Simba, this defeat is more than a scoreline it is a warning.
They must rediscover intensity, improve recovery organisation and sharpen decision-making in the final third.
Matola now faces the challenge of restoring confidence and structure before pressure builds further.
The season is long, but early alarm bells are ringing loudly.
Azam, meanwhile, leave with three points earned through brains, bravery and organisation.
Simba leave with frustration, bruised pride and homework to complete. This was not simply a match this was a lesson.
