SIMBA Sports Club’s latest acquisition, striker Leonel Ateba, has set high expectations for the upcoming season, promising fans a goal-laden campaign filled with victories and titles.

The Cameroonian forward, speaking in Dar es Salaam, confidently assured supporters that this season will be one for the record books, with nothing less than championship crowns on the horizon.

Ateba, who joined Simba from USM Alger in Algeria, has wasted no time in making his presence felt. Despite initial concerns from some fans regarding his ability to adapt to Tanzanian football, Ateba dismissed these doubts, emphasizing that scoring goals is second nature to him. 

“Scoring goals is something I’m used to. I was surprised to see some fans worried about me,” he remarked, highlighting his self-assured approach to his role with the club.

The striker attributed his confidence and quick adaptation to the warm reception and camaraderie he has experienced both on and off the pitch with his new teammates. 

“The love and cooperation from my teammates, both outside and inside the field, have been amazing. With their support, I see myself scoring many goals and breaking the records I set in Cameroon with Dynamo Douala,” said Ateba, reflecting on his successful stint with the Cameroonian club before moving to Algeria.

Ateba made an immediate impact in his debut for Simba, scoring a goal in a friendly match against Sudan’s Al Hilal. The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, served as a promising preview of what fans can expect from the prolific forward. 

“I have started my football journey in Tanzania with peace and happiness. In my first match, I scored against a big, tough team like Al Hilal. I will continue to train hard and prepare for our upcoming CAF Confederation Cup game against Al Ahly Tripoli. The game will be even better for the fans who saw me play against Al Hilal, and we will perform well,” Ateba vowed, exuding determination.

In replacing the Ivorian forward Freddy Michael Kouablan, who departed Simba earlier in the season, Ateba knows the expectations on his shoulders are immense. However, he remains unfazed by the pressure, reiterating his goal-scoring mission for the team. 

“I promise to continue scoring more goals, especially with Simba. I know football is not an easy game, but I came here to achieve results. Scoring goals makes me happy, but I will be even happier if Simba wins the match. 

“What I want to tell Simba fans is to come to the field in large numbers every time we play to cheer us on. This season, we only want to win and lift titles, nothing else,” Ateba declared, his words sure to resonate with the club's passionate supporters.

Ateba’s arrival was eagerly anticipated by Simba’s fan base, especially after he missed the first two Premier League matches against Tabora United and Fountain Gate due to permit issues. 

His first appearance in the friendly against Al Hilal, where he netted a goal in the 26th minute, has already endeared him to the fans, who now expect him to be a central figure in Simba’s attack.

Simba’s head coach, Fadlu Davids, has also expressed confidence in Ateba’s ability to contribute significantly to the team’s success this season. Davids revealed that Simba will continue their preparations with another friendly match scheduled for Saturday, September 7th, as part of their buildup towards the crucial CAF Confederation Cup tie against Al Ahly Tripoli. 

This match, which will determine Simba’s advancement to the group stages of the competition, is a priority for the club, and Ateba is expected to play a key role.

With the club’s ambitions set high, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Ateba as he strives to fulfill his promise of delivering goals and leading Simba to glory. As the new season unfolds, fans will be eager to see if Ateba can replicate his goal-scoring exploits from his previous clubs and help Simba reclaim their dominance on both domestic and continental fronts.

As the anticipation builds, one thing is clear: Ateba’s journey with Simba is off to a promising start, and his goals could very well be the key to unlocking a season of triumphs for Simba.