Simba SC have started to show a new face in the 2026/27 NBC Premier League season, including their ability to score goals through different players rather than relying on a single striker.
The Reds of Msimbazi have made a flying start to the season, winning all five of their opening matches to collect 15 points, while scoring nine goals and conceding just two. Those statistics place them second in the standings, behind Yanga on goal difference.
What has been most impressive about Simba’s start under head coach Steve Barker is the number of different players who have been appearing on the scoresheet.
Striker Ibrahim Doumbia, who is expected to be one of the team’s leading goalscorers, has yet to make a significant contribution in front of goal during these opening matches. However, that has not stopped Simba from continuing to produce results.
Instead, Clatous Chama, Ismail Toure, Libasse Gueye, Elie Mpanzu, Anicet Oura and Rushine De Reuck have already demonstrated their ability to find the net.
Chama leads the scoring charts with three goals, while Toure has scored twice. Gueye, Mpanzu, Oura and De Reuck have each scored once.
This shows that Barker’s Simba are beginning to build a system in which the goalscoring responsibility does not rest on the shoulders of just one player.
In their opening league match against Kagera Sugar, Simba won 2-0 through goals from Toure and Mpanzu. In the following match against Pamba Jiji, they secured a 2-1 victory, with Chama and Oura getting on the scoresheet.
Against Singida Black Stars, Simba won 2-1 before securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Coastal Union through Toure’s 74th-minute goal. The goal came from an Oura cross, providing another indication of how different players can contribute to the team’s results.
In their fifth match, Simba maintained their 100 percent record with a 2-0 victory over Geita Gold. Chama opened the scoring before Gueye added the second, taking the Reds to 15 points.
GUEYE, THE SECOND WEAPON
Beyond his goals, Libasse Gueye’s contribution in creating chances has given Simba’s attacking department greater depth.
Gueye has consistently been involved in the final stages of attacks, helping create opportunities while also getting on the scoresheet himself. Against Geita Gold, he scored the second goal to complete Simba’s 2-0 victory.
So far, Gueye has been directly involved in six goals, scoring one and providing five assists.
TOURE AND THE DEFENDERS ARE ALSO CONTRIBUTING
The start to the season has also highlighted significant contributions from players in the defensive department.
Toure has scored twice in five matches, while Rushine De Reuck has already found the net once. Toure headed home the winning goal against Coastal Union, proving that Simba’s threat does not come solely from their attacking players.
This could prove to be one of Barker’s key weapons this season, particularly in matches where opponents choose to defend in numbers and focus on restricting Simba’s forwards.
