Simba supporters brought parts of Dar es Salaam to a standstill yesterday as they celebrated their team's CRDB Federation Cup triumph, secured with a 1-0 victory over Azam FC in the final played in Zanzibar.
It was Simba's first major trophy in nearly four seasons, making the celebrations particularly significant as players, officials, and fans marked the end of a long wait for silverware while looking ahead to what they hope will be a new era of success.
The victory over Azam FC also extended Simba's impressive record in the FA Cup, now known as the CRDB Federation Cup.
Since the competition was revived in 2015, Simba have reached four finals and won every one of them.
Their victories came against Mbao FC (2-1) in the 2016/17 final, Namungo FC (2-1) in 2019/20, Yanga (1-0) in 2020/21, and Azam FC (1-0) in the 2025/26 final.
Speaking after the triumph, Simba Board Chairman Crescentius Magori described the victory as the beginning of a new period of success for the club following several seasons without winning major trophies.
Magori said he believes Simba had the quality to win all domestic trophies this season. He also argued that the club deserved to be crowned Tanzania Premier League champions, claiming that refereeing challenges prevented them from lifting the league title.
Simba's players have now been granted a break, with several already returning to their hometowns. They are expected to report back early as preparations begin for the CECAFA Kagame Cup, which is scheduled to kick off on July 24.
