Simba Day to storms Dar today

DAR ES SALAAM: THE long wait is finally over. Simba Day has arrived and with it, a carnival of football, music and celebration set to light up the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium this evening.

Following weeks of preparations and a week-long build-up of community activities, the much-anticipated day is now underway, promising unforgettable moments for fans of the Msimbazi Reds.

This year’s edition is already breaking records. Club’s Media and Communication Officer, Ahmed Ally, confirmed that the 60,000-seater stadium was sold out 48 hours before kick-off a new milestone compared to last year’s sell-out which was confirmed just 24 hours prior.

“This shows the increasing love of our fans for their club and the continued growth of the event year after year,” said Ally.

But Simba Day is not just about football. It’s a full-blown festival. Fans can expect a dazzling musical showcase led by Bongo Flava sensation Mbwana Kilungi, popularly known as Mbosso, who will headline the entertainment segment. He will be joined on stage by crowd-favourites Michael Mtambo (Chino Kidd) and John Mseke (Joh Makini), ensuring the atmosphere is electric from the very first beat.

Of course, the main spectacle remains the friendly clash between Tanzanian giants Simba SC and Kenyan powerhouse Gor Mahia, which will serve as the climax of the day. The encounter will also double as the official introduction of Simba’s squad for the 2025/26 season, which kicks off in just a few days.

Speaking on the eve of the match, Simba Head Coach Fadlu Davids expressed confidence in his squad’s potential, l but stressing the need for patience as the team continues its development.

ALSO READ: Yanga kick off ‘Wiki ya Wananchi’ with charity drive at Muhimbili

“I’m happy with my squad. I have got enough X-factor players now to focus on these next five or six months until the window reopens,” said the South African tactician.

“Of course, as a coach, you always want to strengthen; you always want to improve depth. But now the window is closed, I trust my players. I’m happy with my squad and I’ll focus on developing a strong team.”

Fadlu acknowledged the departure of key leaders during the off-season, noting that the focus of the club’s transfer strategy was on smart replacements. “If you lose three captains in one season, you have to replace them with players of equal or better quality,” said Fadlu.

The coach also underscored the ambitions to extend beyond domestic success: “At the moment we have got a younger squad with huge potential. If we reach that potential, we’ll be building a monster. But we still need a couple more windows before we are ready to win the Champions League. We are on the right track.”

Simba also used the pre-match build-up to unveil a new signing in Vedastus Masinde, a full-back from TMA, who joins the club on a two-year deal.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia Head Coach Charles Akonnor welcomed the opportunity to face Simba on their biggest day, calling it a perfect test for his side.

“This is not a game where we come to joke around. We mean business,” he declared.

As the Sun sets over Dar es Salaam, fans can expect more than just fireworks.