SIMBA head coach Fadlu Davids has expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing preseason training camp in Egypt, highlighting the progress made so far.

Simba have played three matches during the tour, securing victories against Saudi Arabia’s First Division side Al-Adalah, and Egyptian sides Telecom and Canal SC.

Davids (pictured) shared his thoughts with the club’s media department after their last game against Al-Adalah, expressing happiness with the preparations and progress made during their three-week stay in Egypt.

He is hopeful his squad will benefit significantly from their time abroad as they prepare for the start of the 2024/25 campaign on August 8 against arch-rivals Young Africans.

“I am very happy that there are no injuries. We had Yusuph Kagoma, who trained the first week and then had a slight niggle, so he is the only one who has missed the last two weeks. We will have him back next week, so thankfully there are no complications,” Davids said.

“Everybody is coming through with their match minutes and how we periodize their load. Yes, we got the results today, but that is not as important in these friendly matches as the process.

“How we are improving our defensive actions, how we are improving our attacking fluidity, and whether the players can build non-verbal communication, knowing which space to take, how to attack, which runs to make, and where the ball is going next,” he added.

“And then it becomes fluid. We have this synergy among the players. We are slowly building step by step. I think now in the third week we have gotten to a point where we have covered a lot of tactical work.

“Sometimes it is about repeating and refreshing the work that we have done and also introducing new things step-by-step in terms of how we want to do it.

“Sometimes it’s about our defensive and midfield lines, how we can connect them and play as a unit with the ball. So a lot has been done, a lot has been achieved in this camp,” Davids concluded.

Meanwhile, the Msimbazi Street-based side was expected to arrive home later yesterday to make final preparations for Simba Day, which is set for August 3. 

Simba have faced challenges in recent seasons, underperforming in the Premier League, CAF Champions League, and Federation Cup. However, the arrival of Davids and the registration of new players bring renewed hope for a successful upcoming season. 

The team’s recent victories in Egypt have bolstered this optimism.

During their time in Egypt, the Tanzanian Embassy provided substantial support to the team. The Tanzanian Ambassador to Egypt, Major General Richard Mutayoba, attended the final game against Al-Adalah FC. After the match, he expressed his gratitude and extended his best wishes to Simba for the 2024/25 season.

Next on Simba’s agenda is ‘Simba Day’, which will take place on Saturday. This event offers fans the opportunity to witness their newly revitalized team in action. Simba will face APR FC from Rwanda, a team that recently reached the final of the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup held in Dar es Salaam.

Last season’s ‘Simba Day’ friendly match saw the hosts secure a 2-0 win over Power Dynamos of Zambia. The game, held at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, was a highlight of the club’s 15th Simba Day anniversary celebrations. 

The upcoming match against APR FC is highly anticipated, as fans look forward to seeing the new team’s performance.

Following ‘Simba Day’, the side is set to compete against their long-time rivals, Young Africans, in the semi-finals of the Community Shield tournament. This match will take place on August 8 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium at 7:00 PM. 

Simba will enter this game with positive memories, having previously defeated Young Africans in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in the last Community Shield final held in Tanga at the Mkwakwani Stadium.

The recent victories and the upcoming matches signify a period of optimism and high expectations for Simba. 

With the new season approaching, fans and players alike are eager to see how the team will perform under the guidance of Davids and with the addition of new talent. The successful pre-season camp in Egypt has set a strong foundation for the challenges ahead, and Simba aim to reclaim its position as a top contender in Tanzanian and African football.