Simba fans are still struggling to come to terms with what happened to their team in international competitions this season, but the club’s captain, Shomari Kapombe, has sought to calm them while outlining the team’s stance in the race for the Mainland Premier League and the FA Cup titles.
Simba, a club with an impressive record in CAF competitions, failed for the first time to reach the quarter-finals from the group stage since their breakthrough eight seasons ago (2018–2019). This season, they finished bottom of Group D in the CAF Champions League.
However, Kapombe, one of the team’s senior players, said that despite Simba’s failure to maintain their international standards, he believes they still have a strong chance to return to continental competitions and reclaim the Mainland Premier League title, which they have lost for four consecutive seasons.
The last time Simba won both major domestic trophies was in the 2020–2021 season, before Yanga went on to dominate for four straight campaigns.
Kapombe admitted that the team fell short in international competitions and urged supporters to continue standing with them during this difficult period, acknowledging that the players themselves are also going through a tough time.
“This is not the time to blame one another; it is the time to unite—from top leadership to the fans—with one common goal. Supporters should not lose hope or abandon the team. We still have a chance to bounce back and correct our mistakes. Nothing is impossible, even though the results have been painful,” Kapombe said.
“I urge the leadership to strengthen unity and maintain peace within the club so that we remain united in fighting for this team. Despite everything, Simba still holds strong international records that no other club in the country has matched. We do not want to lose that legacy; instead, we want to return and set new records by reaching the CAF Champions League final.”
Kapombe added that expectations in continental competitions are always high, and falling short—even below their own previous standards—hurts the players deeply. He said they understand the fans’ pain and share the same disappointment.
“Our promise is to fight harder than ever. Nothing is impossible. The team is united, and the players share the same goals. Expectations remain high. We are now shifting our full focus to the league after losing out in the Champions League.”
Speaking about the squad, Kapombe noted that after several changes—with some players leaving and others joining—the team has now developed good cohesion, with many talented players who share strong ambitions.
“This gives us confidence that we have a clearer path toward achieving the club’s objectives,” he said.
“A strong team is built on unity—from the fans to the leadership. We acknowledge that mistakes were made and we slipped, which led to these results. Now we are seeking another opportunity. Let us stay united and achieve our goals.”
Simba are scheduled to take the field today, Tuesday, for an FA Cup match against Greenland. Last season, Simba were eliminated in the semi-finals of the competition by Singida Black Stars.
Source: Mwanaspoti
