THE future of Simba goalkeeper Aishi Manula has become more complicated after he was left out of the side's preseason training tour of Egypt.

Manula was not with his Simba team-mates as they flew to Egypt for a three-week training camp under newly appointed South African coach Fadlu Davids. 

There is no official statement on why Manula remained behind but there is strong suggestion that his absence has to do with a potential move away from the Msimbazi Street-based side. 

There are unconfirmed reports the shot stopper is not in Simba’s plan for the new season due to a combination of factors, including falling out with the club management and poor form. 

Manula is in an awkward situation. He has a year left to run on his contract and could join a club of his choice on a free transfer next year, but he would clearly prefer to move this season. 

The 28-year-old was the first choice goalkeeper for five consecutive seasons since his arrival from Azam in July 2017. In that time he won the goalkeeper of the season award three times in a row. 

His trouble began towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign after he picked up an injury that kept him off the pitch for six months. 

Ayoub Lakred’s arrival at Simba at the start of last season was the beginning of the end for Manula, whose career is now at a crossroads. 

In the early weeks of Lakred’s takeover, it was fair to ask whether the Moroccan was an upgrade on Manula. 

Lakred looked shaky, and supporters and even coach Robert Oliveira were unconvinced. 

The debate has died, though, as Lakred has established himself. It is why Simba extended his contract and he is now in Egypt as he looks to start the season better than he did last year. 

Last season, Manula made only four league appearances, two of those ending in embarrassing defeats for Simba including the historic 5 - 1 loss to arch-rivals Young Africans. 

Even more telling is the fact that his last appearance for Simba came at the mid-way point of the season in a 2-1 home defeat to ‘minnows’ Tanzania Prisons. 

For one reason or the other, he was overlooked for the remainder of the 15 league games. There was no place in the starting eleven in the mundane cup games. It is clear Simba have moved on. 

The question now is not whether Manula can re-establish himself as Simba’s No. 1, but where he might move next. 

One way or another, for the sake of his career, the goalie has to leave Simba before the transfer window shuts down. 

The biggest issue for Manula right now is that there are no vacancies among the big boys who can afford his reportedly ten million per month salary. 

Young Africans have Malian national team first-choice goalkeeper Djigui Diarra. He is the guy who dethroned Manula as arguably the best goalkeeper in the league. 

Diarra signed a contract last month after three successful seasons since his arrival from Real Bamako. 

Abutwalib Mshery is the second-choice goalkeeper while the newly signed Aboubakar Khomein is third in the pecking order. 

Azam only recently spent a tidy sum to secure Mohamed Mustafa from Al Merreikh on a permanent deal. 

The Sudanese goalkeeper impressed Azam officials, having arrived in January on a six-month loan deal. 

It means Azam is not ready to spend big on another goalkeeper though they could still be interested in Manula preferably on a loan deal arrangement. 

Having Mustafa and Manula certainly adds to their squad depth. 

Singida Black Stars are another top spending side who could afford Manula’s wages but they have just signed Sierra Leone national team Mohamed Kamara. 

From a Simba perspective, it’s probably for the best that Manula is not sold or loaned out to a fellow Mainland Premier League title contender. 

A more exciting alternative, perhaps, would be a move outside of Tanzania, which cannot be ruled out. 

Sudanese giants Al Merreikh have been mooted as a possible destination for Manula though it remains to be seen if they are interested and, more importantly, if the player is willing to join them given their rumoured financial troubles. 

It’ll be interesting to see how this situation plays out over the next coming days. 

Maybe Azam will have to up their offer if they are to land one of the best local goalkeepers, but right now, it’s not certain that they will.