HAVING secured the top spot in the Premier League standings as the year 2024 comes to a close, Simba SC have now shifted their focus to the CAF Confederation Cup in pursuit of a quarterfinal berth.

Simba will face Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien this Sunday, January 5, in a crucial away fixture. The team is scheduled to depart Tanzania tonight as preparations intensify for the high-stakes encounter.

The next three weeks will be decisive for Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, with the team needing at least four points from their remaining fixtures to secure a quarterfinal spot. 

After the match in Tunisia, Simba will travel to Angola to face Bravos do Maquis on January 12. The group stage will conclude on January 19 with a home game against Algeria’s CS Constantine.

Currently, Simba, CS Constantine, and Bravos each have six points, making the group tightly contested. It is evident that teams that secure away points and win their home games will have a strong chance of advancing.

Although nine points may be sufficient to progress, this will also depend on the results of the other teams in the group.

Simba concluded the first round of the 2024/25 Premier League season with a hard-fought 1-0 away victory over Singida Black Stars. The lone goal, scored by midfielder Fabrice Ngoma, sealed Simba’s dominant run in the league’s first half.

This victory marked the completion of Simba’s 15 matches against all the other teams in the league, achieving an impressive 87%-win rate. 

Despite a squad featuring a significant number of foreign players, Simba have shown remarkable consistency, recording more wins than any other team in the league.

With 40 points from 15 matches, Simba have cemented their position at the top of the table, a tally that cannot be surpassed in the first round. Their record includes 13 wins, one draw, and just one loss. The team also leads in scoring, having netted 31 goals during the first round.

Midfielder Jean Charles Ahoua has been a standout performer for Simba, emerging as the team’s top scorer with seven goals, trailing the league’s leading scorer, Elvis Rupia, by just one goal. Additionally, Ahoua has provided five assists, underlining his value to the team.

Goalkeeper Moussa Camara has been a rock in Simba’s defense, playing all 15 matches without being substituted. The Guinean shot-stopper has accumulated 1,350 minutes of play, conceding goals in only three matches and keeping 12 clean sheets.

Midfielder Ngoma has also proven his worth, scoring his third goal of the season in the vital win against Singida Black Stars. His performances have earned him multiple Man-of-the-Match awards, and his recent resurgence has made him a regular starter under coach Fadlu Davids.

Ngoma’s slow start to the season saw him struggle for game time, but he has since become indispensable. The club management has reportedly initiated contract renewal talks with the Congolese midfielder, whose current deal expires at the end of the season.

Simba are determined to reclaim all domestic and continental titles this season, and the performances of key players like Ngoma, Camara, and Ahoua will be instrumental in achieving these goals.

With their sights set on the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals, Simba are poised to build on their dominant domestic form and make a mark on the continental stage. 

As they prepare for the critical matches ahead, Simba’s players and management remain focused on ensuring the team’s success across all competitions.

The coming weeks will be pivotal as Simba strive to maintain their momentum and secure their place among Africa’s elite clubs.