SIMBA are reportedly to be in negotiations with Horoya FC in Guinea to acquire their goalkeeper, Moussa Camara, who also serves as a key player for the Guinea national team.

This move is intended to replace Simba’s current goalkeeper, Ayoub Lakred, who sustained an injury during training and is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks. According to sources within Simba, the club is eager to finalize the deal before their annual ‘Simba Day’ festival on August 3. 

The goal is to have the 25-year-old Camara introduced during the event, adding excitement to the celebration. The urgency stems from the club’s need to ensure they are well-prepared for a series of crucial upcoming matches.

“Waiting for Ayoub could be an option, but we have many important matches, including the Community Shield, the Premier League, and the initial rounds of the CAF Confederation Cup,” said a club insider.

“We don’t want to repeat last season’s mistake of waiting for players to recover. Ayoub hasn’t been fit recently. Even if he recovers in the expected time, he will still need to regain match fitness, which could take up to two months. We can’t afford to wait that long with so many important championships ahead.”

If the deal goes through, Simba plan to replace Ayoub’s name on the Premier League registration with Camara’s, adhering to the rule that allows only 12 foreign players. However, Ayoub might still be retained for international matches until the next transfer window.

Camara’s potential arrival would mark him as the second goalkeeper from Horoya FC to join a Tanzanian club this season, following Mohamed Kamara’s signing with Singida Black Stars.

Meanwhile, the announcement of Lakred’s injury, which is expected to keep him off the field for at least six weeks, has caused concern among Simba supporters. However, another club goalkeeper, Hussein Abel, has reassured fans by emphasizing the depth and capability of the squad.

“Any of our goalkeepers can step up and start a game,” said Abel, who was signed from KMC last season. “Our new coaches are very strict and don’t tolerate mistakes. They ensure every player is held accountable, which motivates us to perform at our best. There’s no need for fans to worry. Even if one player is out, another is ready to step in and deliver.”

Abel also expressed his satisfaction with the club’s recent signings, noting that many of the new players are young and hungry for success. 

“Our opponents should be prepared. The new players are highly motivated, eager to win trophies, and bring a fresh energy to the team. People should take notice,” he said.

The technical bench, led by Fadlu Davids, has introduced a new training regime that has been well-received by the players for its simplicity and effectiveness. Abel believes this approach will benefit the team greatly in the upcoming season.

Simba’s information and communication manager, Ahmed Ally, has also commented on the ongoing transfer activities. He reassured fans that the registration process is still ongoing and hinted at more surprises.

“We are not done yet. Anything can happen at any time,” said Ally. “I urge all Simba members and fans to attend the Simba Day festival at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. It will be a day filled with entertainment, football, and the introduction of our newly registered players. Who knows, there might be a surprise appearance by a player they haven’t heard of yet.”

As the anticipation builds for Simba Day, fans are eager to see how the club will strengthen its squad ahead of a challenging season. The potential signing of Camara could be a crucial step in ensuring Simba remain competitive on all fronts.