AFTER a brief two-day break, Simba have resumed training to prepare for an international friendly match against Sudanese giants, Al Hilal. The game is set for Saturday at the KMC Complex Stadium and is an important fixture in Simba’s preparations for their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

Simba’s Information and Communication Manager, Ahmed Ally, confirmed that all players not currently on national duty have returned to camp to focus on the upcoming match. This includes the club’s star players who have been crucial to their recent successes in domestic competitions.

Notably absent due to international call-ups are key players such as goalkeeper Ali Salim, attacking midfielder Edwin Balua, and left-back Mohamed Hussein, who are all representing Tanzania. 

Additionally, goalkeeper Moussa Camara is away with the Guinea national team, forward Steven Mukwala is on duty for Uganda, and left-back Valentine Nouma is representing Burkina Faso.

Despite the absence of these key players, Ally (pictured) expressed confidence in the squad’s depth, noting that the friendly match against Al Hilal will serve as an excellent opportunity for other players to step up.

Al Hilal’s visit to Tanzania comes as they prepare for their own CAF Champions League campaign. The Sudanese side has already advanced to the second preliminary stage, where they will face San Pedro of Ivory Coast. Their encounter with Simba will, therefore, serve as a crucial warm-up for their upcoming continental fixtures.

Simba, on the other hand, are participating in the CAF Confederation Cup, where they are set to face Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya in the first leg of the second preliminary round between September 13 and 15. This friendly against Al Hilal is seen as a vital test for Simba, providing head coach Fadlu Davids with an opportunity to assess his squad’s readiness ahead of the crucial CAF Confederation Cup tie.

“This match will be an important test for Simba,” Ally noted. “It will help coach Fadlu see how well the team is prepared. After the pre-season, Simba have played four competitive matches: two in the Community Shield and two in the Premier League. The results have been encouraging, but there is always room for improvement,” he said.

In those matches, Simba secured three wins, including two dominant victories in their opening Premier League fixtures - a 3-0 win against Tabora United and a 4-0 triumph over Fountain Gate FC. Their only defeat came in the Community Shield, where they lost to arch-rivals Young Africans. 

Across these matches, Simba have scored eight goals while conceding just one, underscoring their defensive solidity and attacking prowess.

The upcoming friendly against Al Hilal will be crucial for Simba’s continued development as they seek to refine their strategies and tactics. With several key players absent due to international duty, the match will also provide an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim for a place in the starting lineup.

Following the Al Hilal match, Davids will have two weeks to fine-tune his squad before their CAF Confederation Cup showdown with Al Ahly Tripoli. This period will be critical for the coach to make any necessary adjustments and ensure the team is in peak condition to overcome the Libyan side and advance to the group stages of the competition.

Simba’s ambitions in the CAF Confederation Cup are high, and the club is determined to make a strong impact on the continental stage. 

The friendly against Al Hilal, while not a competitive fixture, is an important part of their preparation, offering valuable insights into the team’s strengths and areas that may require further attention.