MILUTIN Sredojevic, widely known as Micho, has issued a cautionary message to Fadlu Davids, the newly appointed head coach of Simba SC, about the immense pressure that comes with managing one of Tanzania's premier football clubs.

Davids, who recently signed a two-year contract with Simba, aims to restore the club's dominance in Tanzanian football.

Drawing from his own experience, Micho, who led Young Africans to the Premier League title during his one-year tenure in 2007, emphasized the weight of expectations at a club like Simba. 

Micho career in African football began in 2002 with Ugandan club SC Villa, and he has since coached various clubs and national teams. He is currently the coach of the Libyan national team.

"Simba carries so much weight that even their actions have a ripple effect across East Africa, not just Tanzania," Micho highlighted, stressing the high-stakes nature of the job Davids is stepping into.

Davids, transitioning from an assistant coach to the head coach of a passionately followed club like Simba, has a clear understanding of the expectations that will define his tenure. The South African coach is expected to excel in both domestic and international competitions with Simba.

Simba fans are eager to reclaim the Tanzania Mainland Premier League title after losing it to rivals Young Africans for the past three years. Additionally, in the CAF Confederations Cup, Simba aim to match or surpass the success of Young Africans, who reached the finals in 2023 but lost on a 2-2 aggregate to USM Algers.

Micho underscored the need for Davids to manage the pressure and expectations effectively. 

"He (Davids) is going to a different environment with kind people where he will be received in the best possible way," Micho said. "However, the honeymoon will finish very soon, and he will enter the pressure of the rivalry with Young Africans, plus competing on the continent and trying to match the standard that the team has had in recent years."

Simba are not competing in the CAF Champions League this year but will play in the Confederations Cup. Micho noted that if a team from Libya progresses, David will have a challenge to get past them to get into the group stages.

Micho advised that Simba fans have high expectations for African club competitions, always aiming for top-level achievements. He also pointed out that Tanzania's culture, habits, traditions, and style of play differ significantly from those in Morocco, necessitating quick adaptation.

"Faldu is a great coach and just needs to adjust and acclimatize. It is now a good platform to take as a head coach, especially at Simba along with assistant coach Darian Wilken, who worked with me at Orlando Pirates," said Micho.

Currently in Egypt for pre-season training, Simba have made significant changes to their squad in preparation for the upcoming season. 

The club has a busy schedule ahead, with Simba Day slated for August 3, the Community Shield against Young Africans on August 8 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, and the CAF Confederations Cup last group stage qualifications round.

Davids will need to quickly find his footing and lead Simba through these high-pressure matches, with the hopes and expectations of their fervent supporters firmly on his shoulders.