CLATOUS Chama joined Simba Sports Club in 2018 from Lusaka Dynamos. While he was already an established star back home in Zambia, he wasn’t particularly seen as a marquee signing.

He came as just another interesting foreign player at Simba. There was little media hype and online vibe about his arrival.

Even Simba is reportedly to have been cautious, it is actually said Chama came on a relatively small financial deal.

In hindsight, that sounds very modest considering the success the player has achieved with the club in the last six years.

No doubt, Chama has been one of Simba's best signings ever. The flashy attacking midfielder has been the main man for the Msimbazi Street-based side in his two spells with the club.

In his first stint with Simba, he won seven titles at the club; three Tanzania Premier League titles, three Community Shields, and two Federation Cups. 

The 33-year-old was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season in the 2019/20 Tanzanian Premier League season.

He also guided Simba to CAF Champions League quarter-final appearances and will be forever remembered for scoring late crucial goals against Nkana and AS Vita that sent Simba to the group stage and quarter-final of the CAF Champions League in the 2018/19 season.

Add the other domestic trophies to the mix and the Zambian international stands head and shoulders above other Simba players. In fact, it could be argued convincingly that he has been the most important Simba player in the last six years.

When Simba signed the midfielder for a reported modest fee of $30,000, much was expected of him. Yet, not many would have expected him to become the beast he has been for several years at the club now.

Playing alongside the likes of Emmanuel Okwi, Meddie Kagere and John Bocco, all of whom are club legends, Chama has featured prominently in the most successful era of the club. In fact, he has led it.

The potential to do big things was there for all to see with goals and assists for Zesco United in the 2016/17 CAF Champions League campaign. So it was clear Simba had a gem on their hands when they splashed the cash for his signature.

However, every player's time comes to an end at some point. Like key players Okwi, Bocco, and Kagere before him, Chama's time at the Simba is coming to an end.

The onus is on the club to make the transition a smooth one. At 33 years old, Chama is nearing the end of his playing days. His current deal with Simba has expired.

Simba Media Manager Ahmed Ally has confirmed that Chama is yet to commit to a new contract at the club during an Instagram Live session last weekend.

“Chama has finished his contract with Simba and after the end of that deal, the next thing is to negotiate with the club management. Until now I have not received a new status if he has extended a contract or is leaving or if the negotiations have started.

“On Monday we will get the real status of Mwamba wa Lusaka. If he stays, it will be in the interests of the wider community of Simba and if he leaves it will also be in the wider interest of Simba,” said Ally.

Young Africans are reportedly to have offered Chama US$150,000 in sign-on fees and a salary of US$13,000 in a one-year deal with an option to extend.

Whether he stays one or two more seasons or decides to move to arch-rivals Young Africans and enjoy a final windfall in his career, Simba cannot be left unprepared to move on.

That doesn't mean Chama could be easily replaced. Even while far from his personal best he still showed quality with several big goals and assists in some key games last season.

Despite playing only two-thirds of league games, he still provided a decent tally of six assists and scored seven times in the 2023/24 campaign. It is why Young Africans are salivating for his signature.

Although Chama still came to prove just how important he remains, scoring and setting up goals to bail out Simba in crucial games, he is not the same player that Simba signed six years ago.

The general consensus is the club needs a new man for the future as far as the number 10 position is concerned. An upgrade has to be signed while Chama can play a supporting role in that regard if he stays, to take the team to another level.