Simba Head Coach Fadlu Davids is continuing to prepare his squad ahead of the crucial 2025/26 campaign for the Reds of Msimbazi.
This is a significant season because the four-year drought without trophies must come to an end.
It is the season every Simba fan is eagerly waiting for, with hopes that all domestic titles will return to Msimbazi, while also asserting dominance in the CAF Champions League. Last season Simba did not participate in the Champions League but reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup (CAF CC).
Yesterday Simba announced the date for the Simba Day Festival, which will take place on September 10 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium—a special day of entertainment for Simba fans, and also the occasion to unveil the new squad.
After that festival, the mission to bring trophies back to Msimbazi will officially begin with the Community Shield match against their archrivals Yanga.
This will not just be a season-opening game, but also an opportunity to end the dominance of Yanga. Coach Fadlu needs to win this match to ensure he begins the campaign on a high note.
Last season, Fadlu lost all three encounters against Yanga. This will be his first chance to get revenge in the new season.
This time, Fadlu faces Yanga with a squad he has personally built. He supervised the entire recruitment process in this transfer window after being given full authority by Simba’s Honorary President, billionaire Mohammed Dewji ‘Mo.’
His first-choice lineup will feature several upgrades, with some positions seeing new arrivals. In defense, goalkeeper Moussa Camara retains his place, while the right-back position remains under the command of the new captain Shomari Kapombe.
Changes are expected on the left side of defense, where Naby Camara is set to replace Mohammed Hussein. Rushine De Reuck is expected to slot into central defense in place of Che Fondoh Malone, while Carabou Chamou and Abdulrazak Hamza keep their roles.
In midfield, Allasane Kante is directly replacing Fabrice Ngoma and is expected to partner with Yusuph Kagoma.
Further reinforcements are expected in attack, where Elie Mpanzu and Mohamed Bajaber could be deployed as wide forwards, along with Kibu Denis and Joshua Mutale—who so far has avoided a ‘Thank You’ exit note.
In the playmaking role, Jean Charles Ahoua, Neo Maema, and Morice Abraham are available to provide options for Fadlu in the number 10 position.
Leading the line, the “Black Simba,” Jonathan Sowah, is expected to be the first-choice striker, though he faces competition from Steven Mukwala and Suleiman Mwalimu Gomez, who has arrived from Wydad.
Simba head into the new league season with a deeper squad, with the most notable improvements coming in the attacking department.
