The signing of striker Suleiman Mwalimu by Yanga has left Simba fans with plenty of questions, particularly those who were convinced that the player was returning to Msimbazi.
Mwalimu was unveiled by Simba twice during this transfer window, yet today he has been announced as a Yanga player.
During SIMBA DAY, Mwalimu himself confirmed that he was officially a Simba player for the 2026/27 season.
Mwalimu joined Simba’s camp yesterday and took part in the team’s evening training programme. It is clear that Yanga had accurate information about delays in Simba’s efforts to complete his signing, allowing them to step in and finalise the deal.
Wydad had agreed to release Mwalimu to Simba on a season-long loan, but it is understood that after Simba officials delayed completing the payment, they gave Yanga an opportunity to complete the signing.
It should be remembered that Yanga had been in contact with Wydad since last season and had attempted to sign Mwalimu during the mid-season transfer window, but without success.
This time around, perhaps Simba officials should not have delayed completing the payment, as happened previously, which resulted in the player missing the CECAFA Kagame Cup and Wydad ordering him to return to Morocco.
Mwalimu’s signing should serve as a lesson for Simba’s management. It is important to complete the registration process early. Reaching an agreement with a player and his club does not guarantee that you will sign him if the other procedures required to finalise the deal have not been completed.
These days, players do not play purely out of loyalty; football is their profession, so they also consider their interests. The days when people could simply say that a particular player was staying somewhere because of his love for the club are gone.
You can speak to a player and agree on everything, but if you have not fulfilled all the requirements and another team comes along and completes the deal, it is easy for the player to change direction.
