Barker hails Simba’s resilience

KAGERA: SIMBA Head Coach Steve Barker has praised his side’s character and tactical adaptability after they overcame a difficult test from Kagera Sugar to begin their Mainland Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory.

Barker made the comments after the match at Kaitaba Stadium in Kagera on Sunday, highlighting that the result was far from straightforward, with Kagera’s three-man defence and adventurous wing-backs causing Simba problems in the opening stages before his side settled into the contest.

He admitted that his team struggled to impose themselves in possession in the first half, but said the goal scored shortly before the break helped settle the players and provided a platform for a stronger secondhalf display.

“The opposition surprised me in terms of their ability to keep possession,” Barker said.

“Their shape with three at the back and their two wingbacks high initially caused us some problems, but we adjusted a little bit.

“We may be, in the first half, just gave the ball away too much in terms of sloppiness, possessionwise, which is not who we want to be.

“Fortunately, we were able to get a goal just before half-time. I think that settled us, and then we made some adjustments at halftime,” he said.

Simba responded positively after the break and appeared increasingly comfortable until they were reduced to 10 men, forcing Barker to alter his approach once again.

Rather than allowing the numerical disadvantage to derail them, Simba exploited it through Elie Mpanzu, who rounded the goalkeeper and finished after being released by an excellent through-ball from Libasse Gueye.

“With the red card, obviously, we had to make some adjustments,” he said.

“But yeah, Mpanzu came on a brilliant play from Gueye, a beautiful through ball, Mpanzu rounding the keeper and scoring, I think was important just to give us that twogoal cushion.”

The greatest satisfaction for Barker, however, came in the closing stages, when Simba showed the discipline required to protect their lead with 10 men.

ALSO READ: Simba start league campaign against Kagera Sugar

The visitors-maintained shape, restricted Kagera’s opportunities and saw out the final 15 to 20 minutes without allowing the hosts back into the contest.

“I thought the last 15-20 minutes, we kept our shape well. We defended, we didn’t allow them too many chances, and we saw out the game,” Barker said.

For him, the opening-day victory provided an encouraging first step, although the coach was quick to acknowledge that Simba still have work to do.

“So, a positive result, a good performance. Always areas to improve, but yeah, good to start with a win,” he said.

Kagera Coach, Juma Kaseja, while disappointed with the result, applauded his players for effort against a Simba side he described as a top team with top players.

Kaseja said Simba’s individual quality proved decisive at crucial moments, particularly when the visitors doubled their advantage.

“They have big-name players who can decide match outcomes in key moments,” Kaseja said.

“Just one moment failing to block a ball led to conceding the second goal.”

The Kagera coach, however, rejected the suggestion that Simba’s red card should have ended his side’s hopes of getting back into the match.

Kaseja also acknowledged the pressure surrounding Kagera’s return to the top flight after promotion from the Championship, but praised his players for their performance against one of the league’s leading sides.