Simba shift focus to CAF duels

DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA Head Coach Steve Barker has said his side, after a perfect domestic start to the season, will now turn their attention to the CAF Champions League after a fifth consecutive victory.

The Reds have made it five wins from five with a 2-0 victory over Geita Gold, producing another assured display to maintain their early-season momentum.

Barker was pleased with the way Simba controlled the game, creating chances and looking equally composed with and without the ball. But with the Champions League now next on the agenda, the coach knows his players must quickly switch gears.

“Five wins in a row is good for us, a good return, but there’s a lot of work still to be done. It’s a good start to the season. Time for us now to focus on the Champions League,” Barker said.

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The coach also revealed why he took off in-form winger Libasse Gueye despite another impressive outing, with the Senegalese attacker having contributed five assists and one goal in his first five matches. Barker said the decision was part of a wider plan to manage Gueye’s workload and keep him fresh for the long campaign ahead.

“Wingers are very explosive players. They expend a lot of energy. The way Libasse plays, he’s always taking people on, so it’s about managing their load and managing minutes,” Barker explained. “It’s a long season ahead. Sometimes you’re playing well, but it’s an intentional substitution to save energy and avoid injuries that may happen.”

While Simba look ahead to Africa, Geita Gold coach Zuberi Katwila admitted that his side were punished by Simba’s efficiency in transition. Katwila said Geita had competed well technically but lost their shape at crucial moments, allowing Simba to turn possession changes into goals.

“We knew we were playing a team of this type, but our opponents used the chances they created,” Katwila said.

“Both goals came in transition. When we had the ball, they took it from us while we were out of position and went on to score.” Despite the defeat, Katwila maintained that Geita had shown the quality they intended to bring to the match, saying his players had competed positively but were ultimately beaten by Simba’s superior finishing.

For Simba, however, the immediate priority is now Africa. With five consecutive victories providing an ideal platform, Barker will hope his side can carry their domestic momentum into the CAF Champions League while keeping his key players fresh for the demands of a long season.