When he joined Simba, his first message to the players was that everyone must fight for their position on the training ground.
Dimitar Pentev, Simba’s General Manager, also told the players that no one is guaranteed a place in the starting lineup — he will pick his XI based on effort in training.
To show he was serious, changes were evident in the first-leg match against Nsingizini Hotspurs in Eswatini, which Simba won 3–0.
In that match, Pentev handed a first start to defender Wilson Nangu, moved Naby Camara from left-back into midfield, and left out Yusuf Kagoma.
On the left flank he started Anthony Mligo, while Neo Maema and Joshua Mutale also returned to the starting team.
Suleiman Mwalimu was tasked with leading the attack alongside Jonathan Sowah and Steven Mukwala, although Sowah, Kibu Denis and Morice Abraham came on in the second half and contributed to the last two goals.
It is clear that Pentev has created a new kind of battle in training, as every player will now need to prove his quality to earn a place in the starting lineup.
Pentev has promised that in the return leg against Nsingizini Hotspurs on Sunday, he will make further changes by giving chances to players who impress him in training ahead of the match.
