Barker impressed after Simba advance to Federation Cup Round of 16

Simba SC head coach Steve Barker admitted to being impressed after the Mailnland Premier League giants defeating little known B19 2-0 to qualify for the Federation Cup Round of 16 at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium.

Jospin Loemba and Clatous Chama scored as Simba SC advanced to the Round of 16 in Tanzania’s Federation Cup on Saturday.
Second division club B19 FC provided a capable challenge but the star power of the Reds was too much to handle.

 

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Zambia international Chama finished off a splendid team movement to put the favorites beyond reach in the second half.

After holding out for the opening twenty minutes, B19 FC fell behind via a goalkeeping error. Loemba was in the right place to nod in from close range after a cross was tipped into the air. The match remained close until Chama struck in the 77th minute.

‘We implemented everything we wanted’

“I was pleased. I thought everything that we wanted to implement, we did,” Barker told the media as quoted by the Guardian. “We really controlled the match from start to finish. I don’t think our opponent even had a corner, and we didn’t have any stress in our box. That was due to us controlling.”

He added: “Obviously, you always want to be scoring more than just the two. Maybe we had a chance to get two or three in the first half. But overall, we won the game, did what we needed to, and players got some game time. It was a good evening.”

On the change he made to the squad, Barker said: “It wasn’t really tactical in the sense that something was missing. We just want to keep momentum.

“Players like Maurice and Naby Kamara haven’t played for a while, so we needed to freshen the team up. Then, the ability to bring on players like Oura, Chama, and Mpanzu to lift the game a little bit.”

Simba to face Dodoma Jiji in next round

Simba have been drawn to face Dodoma Jiji in the next round. Asked about the draw which pitted them against a team that they drew 0-0 with in the first round of the league, Barker said: “They’re a good team.

“We drew with them recently, so it’s another good challenge for us to look forward to. However, the coach was quick to pivot back to the present success.

“We are just pleased to be in the next round, and then we’ll worry about the cup game once we get there.”

Simba will return to Premier League action with a game against SIngida Black Stars on Wednesday.\

Barker impressed after Simba advance to Federation Cup Round of 16

Simba SC head coach Steve Barker admitted to being impressed after the Mainland Premier League giants defeated little-known B19 FC 2-0 to qualify for the Round of 16 in Tanzania’s Federation Cup at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium.

Goals from Jospin Loemba and Clatous Chama ensured that Simba progressed comfortably to the next stage of the knockout competition on Saturday. Despite facing a lower-division opponent, Simba approached the game with professionalism and maintained control for much of the encounter.

Second-division side B19 FC put up a spirited challenge, particularly in the early stages of the match. However, the experience and attacking quality of Simba ultimately proved decisive as the Reds secured their place in the Round of 16.

Zambian international Clatous Chama capped off a brilliant team move to double Simba’s advantage in the second half, effectively ending B19’s hopes of a comeback.

B19 managed to keep the favorites at bay for the opening twenty minutes before a costly mistake from the goalkeeper allowed Simba to break the deadlock. A cross into the penalty area was tipped into the air, allowing Loemba to react quickly and nod the ball into the net from close range.

The match remained competitive for long spells, with B19 trying to stay compact defensively and limit Simba’s attacking opportunities. However, the pressure eventually paid off for the top-flight side.

Chama’s strike in the 77th minute sealed the victory after a well-worked attacking move that showcased the team’s quality and coordination in the final third.

‘We implemented everything we wanted’

Speaking after the match, Barker expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and highlighted how well the players executed the tactical approach.

“I was pleased. I thought everything that we wanted to implement, we did,” he told the media as quoted by The Guardian.

“We really controlled the match from start to finish. I don’t think our opponent even had a corner, and we didn’t have any stress in our box. That was due to us controlling.”

He acknowledged that Simba could have scored more goals, especially in the first half when several chances were created.

“Obviously, you always want to be scoring more than just the two. Maybe we had a chance to get two or three in the first half. But overall, we won the game, did what we needed to, and players got some game time. It was a good evening.”

The coach also explained the changes made to the squad, noting that squad rotation was necessary to maintain momentum while giving other players valuable minutes on the pitch.

“It wasn’t really tactical in the sense that something was missing. We just want to keep momentum,” he explained.

“Players like Maurice and Naby Kamara haven’t played for a while, so we needed to freshen the team up. Then, the ability to bring on players like Oura, Chama, and Mpanzu to lift the game a little bit.”

Simba to face Dodoma Jiji in next round

Simba have now been drawn against Dodoma Jiji in the next round of the Federation Cup. The upcoming clash is expected to be competitive, especially considering the recent meeting between the two sides.

Simba and Dodoma Jiji previously played out a 0-0 draw in the first round of the Mainland Premier League earlier this season.

Reacting to the draw, the coach acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead but remained focused on taking the competition one match at a time.

“They’re a good team,” he said.

“We drew with them recently, so it’s another good challenge for us to look forward to.”

However, the focus for the team remains on enjoying their progress in the competition before shifting attention to the next fixture.

“We are just pleased to be in the next round, and then we’ll worry about the cup game once we get there.”

Simba will now shift their focus back to Mainland Premier League action, where they are scheduled to face Singida Black Stars on Wednesday.

The match will be another important test for the Dar es Salaam giants as they continue their push for success in both domestic competitions this season.

With momentum building and key players returning to form, Simba will hope to maintain their winning run as they balance league commitments with their Federation Cup ambitions