SIMBA SC’s Media and Communication Manager Ahmed Ally is adamant his club will strive to secure one of the top two places in the 2023/24 NBC Premier League so it can feature in next season's CAF Champions League.

"Once you become a football fan, you should be ready for two situations, sorrow, and happiness, that is given, Simba SC is struggling at the moment in terms of goals we had this season, we have not fulfilled our plans at all," the official said. 

"Our fans' presence in venues in various stadiums has been low, we need our fans to show up for their team, they need to support us during this period, we still have a chance to finish in the top two and play in CAF Champions League... we need them to come in big numbers," he remarked.

Ally had, mid this week, said his club was ready to lock horns with Azam FC which is flying high in the NBC Premier League, having a four-point gap with the Msimbazi Street outfit.

Simba SC, currently sitting third in the league, went on to garner a comprehensive 3-0 win over Azam FC in the top-flight clash which was played in Dar es Salaam on Thursday to narrow its points margin to just one point. Second-placed Azam FC has collected 57 points from 25 games.

Our goal is to make sure we win every game, Azam FC is in top form, that's not a secret, we need to prepare for the game, Ally stated before the tie.

 “We know our players and technical bench understand what is in front of us, we are optimistic that we have the best squad to do the job and we are ready," the official pointed out.

 Simba SC fielded a strong squad- with DR Congo defender Henock Inonga expected to start and partner Cameroonian Che Malone Fondoh after returning to full fitness.

 Zambian midfielder Clatous Chama, now nursing an injury, missed out on the duel considering the midfielder also had a three-match suspension.

 Ivorian forward Freddy Kouablan was expected to lead the striking force after regaining his goal-scoring form, winger Edwin Balua was further set to play on the right flank whereas Cameroonian Willy Onana was set to be fielded on the left flank.

 After witnessing his squad regaining winning ways in the NBC Premier League, Ally called on the squad’s supporters to make their presence felt in the clash against Azam FC.

 The two teams met at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in a tense duel, with both fighting for the top-two finish. The clash's host- Azam FC, sitting second, has 57 points while third-placed Simba SC had- before the fixture- recorded 53 points.

 Simba SC fans have- in their club's recent league clashes- not been attending in big numbers after the squad's hopes of clinching the NBC Premier League dwindled. 

 The fans' decrease in number in the club's ties was also brought about by its failure to secure a place in the CAF Champions League semi-finals.

 The Msimbazi Street squad also crashed out of the CRDB Federation Cup, losing 6-5 to a 10-man Mashujaa FC in the Round of 16 clash which took place at Lake Tanganyika Stadium in Kigoma recently.

Despite clinching the season opener, Community Shield, and the re-introduced Muungano Cup showdown, Simba SCs goals have hardly been met.