Dar es Salaam. Simba SC, one of East Africa’s football powerhouses, are setting the stage for a high-level pre-season camp as preparations begin for the 2025/26 campaign.
According to sources close to the club, discussions are at an advanced stage to hold the camp abroad, with Egypt and Turkey emerging as the leading destinations.
The proposed move backed by both the technical bench and club leadership is designed to provide a superior training environment that will sharpen the team ahead of a season filled with high expectations.
“The goal is to give the team a fresh, competitive start in a setting that encourages intensity, focus, and elite performance,” a senior official within Simba’s technical department told The Bizlens.
Why Egypt or Turkey?
The choice of Egypt and Turkey is not coincidental. According to insiders, both nations offer the ideal blend of infrastructure, competition, and climate necessary for high-performance football preparations.
Egypt presents a familiar African environment with strong continental competition and top-tier facilities home to clubs like Al Ahly and Zamalek that Simba could face in CAF tournaments.
On the other hand, Turkey offers modern training centers, cooler temperatures during the pre-season period, and proximity to Eastern European and Asian teams, which opens doors for top-quality friendly matches.
“These are not vacation trips,” the official added. “This is about building a team ready to win titles, both domestically and in continental competitions.”
Pre-Season Set to Begin July 25
Simba’s camp is scheduled to kick off on July 25, shortly after the players and coaching staff return from their off-season break. Customized fitness programs have already been dispatched to every player to ensure they arrive in top physical and tactical condition.
This pre-camp phase underscores the club’s commitment to raising the standard across all departments from strength and conditioning to tactical discipline.
The top targets?
Reclaim the domestic league title, which rivals Yanga SC have now won for four consecutive seasons.
Reach at least the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
While the 2024/25 season saw Simba reach a continental final, fans were left yearning for local dominance. This season’s preparation, therefore, comes with bigger ambition and zero tolerance for complacency.
High-Profile Friendlies Lined Up
While abroad, Simba SC is expected to engage in four to five friendly matches against teams with continental and international pedigree.
These matches, to be organized in collaboration with global sports agents, will serve as a critical litmus test for the new signings and tactics
