Sports

Matola tells Simba to focus on youth side

SIMBA SC youth coach, Selemani Matola

SIMBA SC youth coach, Selemani Matola, has called on the club to seriously invest in the youth squad and promote the youngsters to the senior side considering they are bound to benefit the club a lot in future.

Matola, who is Simba’s former midfielder, said it is time the club chiefly focused on its youth side because the squad is the future of the club.

Matola guided his side to a stunning 2-1 win over the well drilled and full strength Azam FC in the semi-final of the BancABC SUPER8 tournament played at the National Stadium to stay on course for a triumph in the inaugural event.

“What I want to say is that I insist on the club to seriously focus on these youngsters because they will benefit the club a lot in future,” he said.  He was full of praise for his squad saying it played well throughout the game and deserved to emerge victorious.

“My squad has played very well today (Wednesday) and deserved to win… they have been at the top of their game throughout and I had no doubt about their ability”, he said. Simba, fielding its U-20 squad, put fantastic pieces of skills to keep Azam, led by the likes of Abdi Kassim and Ivorian striker, Kipre Tchetche, at bay for the better part and win plenty of plaudits from the fans that flocked the stadium.

The Msimbazi Street side youngsters went on rampage right after the kick off and found the back of the net as early as the third minute, prior to tormenting Azam for a while thereafter. Azam seemingly underrated their opponents early on and the tendency proved costly as the skilful Simba youngsters threatened whenever they pushed forward and could have put the win beyond doubt midway through the second half had the striking force exploited a couple of good chances.

And when emerging striker, Edward Christopher, banged in a spot kick to put Simba 2-0 up deep in the second half, Azam’s technical bench was forced to do some substitutions in a bid to improve performance but it was, unfortunately, too late. 

Meanwhile, Simba introduced its two newly recruited foreign players, Kenyan defender, Paschal Ochieng’, and Ghanaian striker, Daniel Akuffor, to the media the same day and revealed it has entered a two- year contract for both players.

Simba Vice-Chairman, Geoffrey Nyange ‘Kaburu’ said Ochieng’ and Akuffor joined the rest of the first choice squad in Arusha for training in the past few days and the duo impressed head coach, Milovan Cirkovic, a move that prompted the club to seal the signing.

Ochieng’, who has also turned out for Kenya’s senior national soccer team, Harambee Stars, on several occasions, has been recruited from Kenyan giants, AFC Leopard, while Akuffor is from Stella Club Adjame` of Ivory Coast.

“I’m from a big club and when I was told that I was going to play in Tanzania, I asked myself where I’m going to? But I’m glad to be here and I’m ready for the challenge”, said Akuffor. The Ghanaian and Ochieng’ were presented with jerseys on a brief occasion to mark their entry to the club.