Kajula new Simba CEO, Banda recovers

SIMBA have named Imani Kajula as the club’s Chief Executive Officer taking over from Barbara Gonzalez who stepped down last month.

Barbara was appointed as the club’s first female  CEO in September 2020 to fill the void left by Senzo Mazingiza who crossed to their traditional rivals Young Africans where he eventually served as the club’s consultant.

But yesterday the club via its Media and Communication Manager Ahmed  Ally, announced the appointment of Kajula who was the CEO of EAG Group to serve the club as the  new CEO.

“We would like to announce to our members and fans that Imani Kajula will be our new Chief Executive Officer effective from today and he will be charged with the day-to-day club’s administrative operations.

“Kajula is a member of this club for a long time and he was on the club’s committee for the Simba Day festival,” said Ally.

On December 10th  last year, Gonzalez announced her resignation and through her social media account, posted the letter giving two main reasons that led to her decision.

Gonzalez said she is stepping down to give a chance to the new Board of Directors to choose a new CEO who will go along with their vision.

“Secondly, to give myself time to fulfill another dream elsewhere,” she said in the letter.

Speaking of her achievement at the club during her time in office, she thanked everyone at the Msimbazi street giants who made the dream of making Simba a big club come true.

“During my time in office the club gained many achievements on and off the pitch, including winning titles, attracting sponsors, and being respected as one of the biggest football clubs in Africa,” she said.

However, she admitted that it was not easy for her to decide to resign from her position.

“It’s hard to resign from the work you have been performing with all your heart but all the good things have indeed to come to an end,” Barbara said.

In another development, Simba’s mercurial winger Peter Banda said that he is feeling  better as he has joined his team’s training session at Mo Simba Arena after recovering.

“Now I am better. I can say I am getting better slowly I will be there. I am very happy because it is a long time and maybe now it is three months, so now I am back and very happy,” said Banda.

He added that he is now  70 per cent fit and next week he will be back as he didn’t feel any pain in his leg.

“I miss him I used to be with him every time and do everything together. I was alone in the room and I see him starting to push. We will score many goals and I miss his assists,” said his partner Pape Ousmane Sakho.