SIMBA head coach Fadlu Davids doesn't feel his side is in the best form but insists they will play to win the Community Shield semi-final match against arch-rivals Young Africans.

Simba face Young Africans this evening at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in their final match before the Premier League season gets underway.

Speaking in his pre-match news conference, the South African (pictured) said: “I think Simba Day has given us an indication of where we are at. We have now completed our fourth week of preseason and we face Young Africans in the Community Shield that will give us the true test as to where we are in terms of Tanzanian football and how our season is going to go.

“This game won’t decide how we do in the league but it will put us at a stage in knowing exactly where we are in this preseason in this project of building a new team.

“We know that Young Africans are already three years or the new coach is already one year into their project and we are four weeks into our project so we have got to zoom out and get the bigger picture as to where we are and what we are building.

“The Simba Day match gave us a good indication of our new players and how they are gelling with the old players. It is not always easy to integrate 14 new players and a lot of talents. These are the steps we are taking and we take this game like we approach any other game.

“A match that we want to win without taking into consideration where we are at in terms of our pre-season. We will play to win. We are Simba Sports Club,” he said.

The Community Shield will be the first piece of silverware of the new season involving the top four teams in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

While not considered a major trophy, the Community Shield provides a competitive yet friendly encounter, often seen as a barometer for the teams’ upcoming season performance.

The game typically draws significant attention, symbolizing the close of the pre-season and the start of competitive football in Tanzania.

The main prize for the winners of the Community Shield is the trophy. There is no cash prize, but it also gives teams a bit of momentum heading into the new season.

The two sides met in the Community Shield final last year. Simba overcame Singida Fountain Gate via a penalty shootout while Young Africans beat Azam 2-0 in the other semi-final.

A penalty shootout victory saw Simba triumph against their arch-rivals after the two sides could not be separated in 90 minutes at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga.

Simba suffered a 2-1 defeat to Young Africans in the 2023/24 Premier League the last time the sides met and will be out for revenge. 

First-half goals from Stephane Azizi Ki and Joseph Guede gave Miguel Gamondi’s side the advantage at the break before Freddy Koublan halved the deficit in the 74th minute.

However, Simba have been busy during the off-season and Davids acknowledged that many of his new signings are young and still integrating into the team, contrasting with their opponents, who have had more stability. Despite this, the coach remains unfazed and confident in his team’s potential.

“Our squad includes a diverse range of players tailored to face different opponents,” Davids explained. “We are well-prepared to take on Young Africans. The fact that our rivals have been together for a longer period does not intimidate us.”

Simba’s preparation included a three-week training camp in Ismailia, Egypt, where they played four friendly matches, securing victories against Al-Adalah (2-1), Telecom FC (2-1), El Qanah FC (3-0), and a match against APR on Simba Day, which they won 2-1. 

Throughout these games, Davids experimented with various line-ups and strategies to identify his strongest formation.

In these friendly matches, Simba displayed a potent attacking prowess, scoring a total of nine goals. Jean Charles Ahoua led the charge with two goals, while Augustine Okejepha, Valentino Mashaka, Ladack Chasambi, Steven Mukwala, Joshua Mutale, Edwin Balua, and Debora Fernandez Mavambo each contributed one goal.

The team’s offensive versatility, particularly in the forward and midfield positions, is expected to pose a significant challenge to Young Africans’ defense, which has been bolstered by the signing of left-back Chadrack Boka.

“Today’s game will provide a clear indication of whether our preparations in Egypt have paid off,” Davids stated. “We are under no pressure. We will approach today’s game as we do any other match, but our goal is to win.”

Simba fans have already shown their enthusiasm for the new-look team, particularly after their performance on Simba Day. Under Davids’ guidance, the team played a fast-paced, attacking style of football that delighted the crowd, especially in the second half of their match against APR of Rwanda.

Key players like Mutale, Fernandez, Awesu Awesu, and Balua stood out, drawing praise for their contributions to the team’s 2-0 victory.

Team captain Mohamed Hussein, known as ‘Zimbwe Jr,’ also expressed the players’ readiness for the clash. “Our preparations are complete, and we, as players, are ready to follow the instructions given by our coaches,” he said. “Our goal is to win.”

The Community Shield tournament traditionally marks the beginning of the Premier League season, which is set to commence on August 16. This season promises to be dynamic and inclusive, offering an exciting new chapter for Tanzanian football.

In addition to the highly anticipated Simba vs. Yanga semi-final, the other semi-final match will see Coastal Union face Azam FC at the New Aman Complex Stadium in Zanzibar, scheduled to kick off at 4:00 PM.

The winners of these semi-finals will meet in the final, slated to take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday.

As the football community eagerly awaits the start of the new season, today’s match will not only determine the finalists of the Community Shield but also set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and competitive league campaign.