SIMBA Sports Club continued their impressive form with a 2-0 victory over JKT Tanzania in a friendly match at the KMC Complex on Saturday.

The match was part of their preparation for the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup campaign, and head coach Fadlu Davids expressed satisfaction with the squad's progress.

The friendly was competitive, with both teams creating offensive plays and maintaining strong defensive structures. However, Simba's quality ultimately broke through, with key players stepping up to secure the win.

Speaking after the match, Davids was pleased with the development of his team, highlighting that they are entering the final phase of their six-week training program. He assured that the squad would be fully fit for their CAF Confederation Cup commitments, ready to endure 90 minutes of high-intensity football.

“Next week marks the end of our six-week preparation plan,” Davids said. “By then, the team will be fully capable of playing 90 minutes of high-intensity football, and all players will be ready to execute our tactical strategies.”

Although some players joined the camp later than expected, Davids noted that the coaching staff worked diligently to integrate them into the team. He is confident that the entire squad will be match-ready soon.

Simba's domestic campaign has started brightly with back-to-back wins in the Tanzanian Premier League. The Msimbazi Street-based side opened with a 3-0 victory over Tabora United, followed by a 4-0 demolition of Singida Black Stars. These performances have set a strong tone for their upcoming continental challenge.

“We’ve had a solid start to the season, which is a testament to the hard work during preseason. Now, we’re focused on fine-tuning for the CAF Confederation Cup,” Davids added.

During the friendly, attacking midfielder Jean Charles Ahoua opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a penalty after JKT Tanzania's defender handled the ball. Ahoua’s composed finish showcased his strong form heading into the season.

Simba controlled much of the second half, and despite both sides creating chances, it was Simba who sealed the match. Saleh Karabaka, a young forward signed from JKU Zanzibar, netted the second goal in stoppage time after a well-executed assist from Valentin Mashaka.

Davids praised Karabaka’s performance, expressing confidence in his potential and the role young talents like him will play in Simba's future success. 

"Karabaka has shown his quality and continues to contribute positively. We have a lot of young talent, and I believe they will play crucial roles in the team," Davids remarked.

During the second half, Davids rotated the squad to give more players a chance to showcase their skills, with goalkeeper Aishi Manula being the only player to stay on the field for the entire match. 

This allowed the coach to test various tactical setups and combinations ahead of the crucial CAF Confederation Cup match against Al Ahly Tripoli.

Simba’s next major test will be the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round against Al Ahly Tripoli on September 15 in Libya. Davids is confident that his squad will be fully prepared to compete for a spot in the group stage of the competition.

“Our focus is on the CAF Confederation Cup. The match against Al Ahly Tripoli is a critical one, and we’re preparing well for it. The players are getting stronger, and we’re confident we can get positive results,” Davids concluded.

Simba’s recent performances, both domestically and in friendlies, indicate that they are well-equipped to challenge for honors on the African stage. With a balanced squad and an experienced coaching staff, they are poised for a strong CAF Confederation Cup campaign.