Barker keeps Simba on guard

DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA head into their next Mainland Premier League assignment against Mashujaa FC today, seeking to maintain their perfect start to the season, with head coach Steve Barker stressing that consistency will be crucial to extend their winning run.

The Msimbazi giants, who have collected 21 points from seven matches, welcome a Mashujaa side that has made an encouraging start to the campaign, sitting fourth on 12 points after four wins and three defeats.

Fresh from their 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Young Africans, Simba will be keen to build on that momentum and demonstrate their ability to sustain their early-season form against a side Barker expects to provide a stern examination.

Ahead of the encounter, Barker said his players were in good spirits following their victory over Yanga but stressed the importance of securing another win rather than allowing their momentum to fade.

“Obviously, it is important for us to capitalise on the good victory we had by following it up with another victory. It would not be in our interest to win on Saturday and then fail to follow it up,” Barker said. He acknowledged Mashujaa’s quality, describing them as a wellcoached side whose early-season performances deserve respect.

“We are very cognisant of the fact that we are up against a very wellcoached team, one that has had a good start to the season. The coach is very good, and we had difficult encounters against him last season, so we anticipate a tough match,” he added.

Despite the challenge, Barker insisted that playing at home places responsibility on Simba to maintain their standards and continue their pursuit of another victory. “It is our home game, and it is our responsibility as Simba Sports Club to ensure that we continue with our momentum and strive to have a perfect start with another victory,” he said.

Simba’s record so far makes them favourites on paper. They have won all seven of their league matches, conceding just three goals, while their attacking efficiency has helped them establish themselves at the top of the standings.

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However, Mashujaa’s position in fourth place suggests they cannot be dismissed.

Although their campaign has been inconsistent, with four victories and three defeats, they have shown the ability to compete and recover from difficult situations, including a recent 2-1 win over Polisi Tanzania.

Mashujaa FC Head Coach Amani Josiah said his side were focused on taking each match as it comes, with the immediate priority being to secure a respectable league position and improve the performance levels of their players.

“Our job is to keep winning and approach one match at a time. We have ambitions, but for now, our focus is on finishing in a better position than we did last season and ensuring our players continue to improve,” Josiah said.

He acknowledged the scale of the challenge posed by Simba, alongside other leading clubs such as Azam FC and Yanga, but insisted that matches against the country’s biggest teams also provide Mashujaa with an opportunity to prove their quality.

“We have a mountain to climb against Simba, just as we do against Azam and Yanga. We cannot put ourselves on the same level as these teams, but we must be ready to cause surprises in matches like these and show what kind of team we are,” he said.

Josiah added that a positive result could boost his side’s confidence, although he cautioned against looking too far ahead before the match had been played.

For Simba, the encounter represents another test of their title credentials and their ability to handle the pressure that comes with leading the standings.

Their recent head-to-head record offers further encouragement, having beaten Mashujaa 3-0 away on May 14, after securing a 2-0 home victory on January 29 this year.

The Reds also won their previous meetings in May 2025 and November 2024, giving them four consecutive victories over the Kigoma-based side.

Nevertheless, Barker’s emphasis on consistency suggests Simba are taking nothing for granted as they seek to protect their winning run.

Meanwhile Former Simba SC midfielder Jonas Mkude has insisted that Mashujaa are well prepared for their meeting with his former employers, despite acknowledging the strength of the Msimbazi giants.

Mkude, who spent more than a decade at Simba before joining Mashujaa, said his current side are fully focused on securing the points needed to improve their position in the league standings.

“Simba are a strong side, and we respect that. As players, we are well prepared for the match. It is a tough fixture, so we have prepared extensively, given the nature of the game. We need the points to climb the table,” Mkude said.

The midfielder also made it clear that, despite his long association with Simba, his focus is now firmly on serving Mashujaa and helping his current club achieve its objectives.

“Simba were my former employers, but now I am at Mashujaa, and I work for Mashujaa,” he added.

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