EVEN though he has been facing a lot of criticism from several fans and being regularly benched by Simba SC's Algerian coach Abdelhak Benchikha, who has now parted ways with the club, the side's Ivorian striker Freddy Kouablan has good statistical numbers that favour him against the remaining strikers.

Kouablan was, by the time he had left Zambia Premier League outfit Green Eagles, the leading goal scorer with 14 goals from 16 games with the club, he had slowly replicated his form in Mainland Tanzania's NBC Premier League with Simba SC.

Simba SC signed Kouablan and striking partner Pa Omar Jobe during the January transfer window to reinforce the squad ahead of the second phase of the NBC Premier League.

Veteran goal-getter John Bocco is now an assistant coach for the outfit’s U-17 side and midfielder Saidi Ntibazonkiza has recently been playing the false number nine role.

Under a 4-2-3-1 formation, Ntibazonkiza, who is naturally a midfielder, has failed to prove success with a leading nine while whenever Freddy plays as a starter or bench he has been able to score goals.

Clatous Chama, Kibu Denis, and Willy Onana have all been fielded in the striking force at Simba SC since Kouablan's arrival. The Ivorian attacker has, despite having been given a few minutes, scored four goals in the NBC Premier League, let alone his contribution in all competitions.

If soccer followers look at the statistics, they will make more sense. Denis has played 19 games in the league so far, he only missed two games, he has scored one goal and assisted three in the league, numbers which are not good for a striker.

Ntibazonkiza has played 20 games in the league and has only missed one this season, he has scored seven goals and executed two assists.

They are the numbers that had backed him up in front of Benchikha. Soccer lovers ought to understand that five of the Burundian midfielder's seven goals were netted via spot kicks.

In what is judged as his bad season, Chama still produces good numbers, he is not a striker, he plays as either an attacking midfielder or winger and he has scored seven goals and executed six assists.

Jobe is another striker who is struggling in front of goal, he has one goal in the NBC Premier League from 281 minutes via 11 games. He may need time to adapt, especially after coming to Simba SC three months ago.

Per minutes, Kouablan has better numbers than the remaining Simba SC goal-getters, while the majority of his goals have been posted whilst coming from the bench.

He has played 431 minutes- an appropriation of five games in 90 minutes if he played in that limit- but they are split into 11 games, scoring four goals in the league.

He has a ratio of one goal per game, through the minutes he played whilst coming from the bench, which amount to few games compared to those played by other forwards.

Should interim head coach Juma Mgunda provide the Ivorian striker more minutes, the footballer will be useful in converting the wasted chances by the club.

The attacker may have punched his way into his squad's starting lineup after scoring in back-to-back games, one of which is the NBC Premier League tie against long-time rival, Yanga.

The other fixture is the Muungano Cup last-four match versus KVZ FC. The striker’s strike, as a result, helped Simba SC secure a place in the Muungano Cup final which was won by the club- having edged Azam FC.