SIMBA SC head coach Steve Barker has called for focus and continued improvement as his side prepare to face Dodoma Jiji FC in today’s Mainland Premier League clash at Jamhuri Stadium.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Barker stressed the importance of concentrating solely on the immediate task, warning against complacency despite Simba’s recent positive run of results.

“Preparations are going well,” Barker said during his pre-match press briefing. “It’s a big game for us against good opposition, a team that is well coached. We have to prepare appropriately.”

Simba are in the middle of a demanding stretch of away fixtures, but the South African tactician believes his players are beginning to show encouraging signs of consistency - something he views as crucial in the title race.

“I do believe that we are starting to show signs of good consistency as a team,” he noted. “That’s important for us never to become complacent. We’ve got to keep looking to improve because if we can keep improving our performances, it increases our chances of winning matches.”

Dodoma Jiji head into the fixture buoyed by a string of solid results, and Barker acknowledged the challenge that awaits his side at Jamhuri Stadium. He made it clear that Simba are not underestimating their hosts.

“We understand that it will be a tough match for us. We are not expecting an easy game. They are also coming off some good results,” he said. “Each and every game has its different challenges, and as opposition they will provide challenges.”

Despite a packed schedule, Barker dismissed any suggestion that Simba might rotate with one eye on the upcoming derby against arch rivals Young Africans (Yanga). Instead, he insisted that the only priority is securing maximum points today.

“There’s just no reason why we must have our eye on another game,” he emphasized. “The most important game is our next match. It’s important for me to put out what I believe is the best team to get the next result, which is tomorrow.”

Beyond the immediate objective of victory, Barker highlighted his broader mission of shaping a clear identity for the Msimbazi Street giants. Since taking charge, he has spoken frequently about building foundations that will sustain long-term success.

“From a tactical point of view, it’s more about what we want to achieve as a team and playing with our identity, creating an identity that Simba needs to embed,” he explained. “We’ve laid some good foundations, but there’s still a lot of work to be done, still a lot of improvement to be done.”