Barker blames fatigue, pitch condition in Simba’s win
DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA SC Head Coach Steve Barker blamed fixture congestion and poor pitch conditions after his side laboured to a narrow 1-0 victory over JKT Tanzania in a hard-fought Mainland Premier League encounter on Wednesday at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Simba SC Head Coach Steve Barker has attributed his side’s narrow 1-0 victory over JKT Tanzania to a congested fixture schedule and difficult playing conditions, as Simba edged a hard-fought league encounter on Wednesday at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The result, secured by Clatous Chama’s 54th-minute strike, keeps Simba second in the Mainland Premier League standings on 46 points, five behind leaders Yanga SC, while JKT Tanzania remain fifth with 32 points.
Barker said the match was significantly affected by player fatigue following back-toback high-intensity fixtures, including recent derby commitments, which he argued left his squad below peak physical condition.
He also criticised the state of the pitch at General Isamuhyo Stadium, noting it disrupted Simba’s usual passing rhythm and made it difficult to execute their tactical approach effectively.
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“The players were not at their freshest level, which made the contest more challenging than expected,” Barker said, adding that the surface conditions further limited ball movement and fluency.
Despite the setback, Simba still managed to find a breakthrough when Chama converted the decisive goal just after the restart, securing all three points. JKT Tanzania head coach Ahmad Ally, meanwhile, conceded that his side were punished by Simba’s experience and quality in key moments.
He said his team competed well in phases but lost concentration at a crucial stage that led to the decisive goal.
“Against a strong team like Simba, even small mistakes can be costly,” Ally noted, urging his players to improve discipline, alertness and composure in future matches.
Looking ahead, Simba SC are scheduled to face Tanzania Prisons on 10 May, while JKT Tanzania will take on Mbeya City FC on 9 May as the league campaign continues. On the table, Young Africans lead at the summit with 51 points ahead of Simba with 46 from 21 matches.
Azam remain firmly in contention on 43 points, ensuring the championship battle is shaping into a closely fought three-horse race. With nine matches remaining, the run-in is beginning to take shape. JKT Tanzania sit fifth on 32 points, just behind Singida Black Stars, with both sides still in contention for a top-four finish that would secure continental qualification.
