Barker impressed with South Africa camp

DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA Head Coach Steve Barker says the club’s training camp in South Africa has provided an important opportunity for the team to regroup and address areas that require improvement after missing out on a conventional pre-season programme.

Barker said Simba went straight into the CECAFA tournament in Kigali without a proper pre-season training camp, making the current camp particularly important as the team works to improve its preparations.

“We didn’t have a real pre-season training camp. We went straight into a tournament in Kigali,” Barker said.

“So, this was needed for us just to get the team together, really work hard on the training ground and fix some things that we feel we need to be working on.”

Barker said the South African base is the right environment for the squad to concentrate on its work, describing the facilities as high quality and noting the availability of gym and recovery facilities.

“For me, it’s an ideal environment for us to just fully focus, re-energise and realign ourselves,” he said.

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The coach said the fact that the training facilities and accommodation were close to each other also allowed the team to remain focused without unnecessary travel.

Barker’s comments suggest the camp is intended to provide Simba with time to work on issues within the squad and improve their readiness for the challenges ahead.

He also commended the club’s president Mohammed Dewji for his support, saying the club’s ability to undertake an overseas camp required significant resources.

“Since day one when I arrived at the club, the president, Dewji, has supported the team immensely,” Barker said.

Barker said Dewji had committed both his time and resources to the club and that the team had a responsibility to repay that backing through thorough preparation.

“It’s very important that we as a club continue to repay the faith that he gives into the team … by ensuring that we prepare as best that we can,” he said.

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