Last season’s NBC Premier League top scorer, Jean Charles Ahoua—who is also among the favourites to win the MVP award at the upcoming TFF Awards on December 5—has continued to work hard to ensure he builds on where he left off last season.
Despite increased competition in his position, Ahoua still carries the expectations of Simba fans this season, in which the club’s objective is to reclaim major titles.
Simba’s new manager, Dimitar Pantev, has seemingly given Ahoua a challenge by leaving him out of some matches while giving him minutes in the second half in others.
However, his absence on the pitch is often noticeable, and whenever he comes on, he adds quality—especially in the attacking third—where he effectively utilizes his strength in set pieces.
Pantev is instilling a high-tempo style of football, which may be an area that challenges Ahoua and forces him to adapt.
Pantev also requires all players to contribute both with and without the ball. The players he regularly selects in his squad demonstrate this expectation.
In several matches, Pantev has started Joshua Mutale in the number 10 role and at times used Neo Maema, while Ahoua and Morice Abraham have alternated in the second half.
The start of the season has been challenging for Ahoua, but there is no doubt that his place in Pantev’s squad will remain secure.
