Barker insists Simba should be ruthless despite Namungo win

Simba SC coach Steve Barker says Namungo FC gained strength after scoring a goal and that his players had to look for a third goal to secure victory in the NBC Premier League game on Sunday.

The Msimbazi Reds remained five points behind rivals Young Africans at the top of Tanzania’s league table after securing a 3-1 result at Namungo. Elie Mpanzu’s second half strike confirmed three points for the Reds.

Mabao matatu yaliyotupa alama tatu dhidi ya Namungo FC. #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/CkziQ8Yg02

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) April 19, 2026

But a strong start from the visitors was enough to hold off their midtable hosts. Simba’s West African stars helped them to a 2-0 lead in the opening twenty-five minutes with Senegalese winger Libasse Gueye opening the scoring before Ivorian attacker Anicet Oura doubled the lead.

‘It was an important win for us’

“It has been tough, this was our 10th game out of 12, and 10th one away, we have played five games away in a row, so, I could see the player it hasn’t been easy, but we managed to come through this month still intact, and you know it was important for us to get victory,” Barker told Pan-Africa Football.

“First of all, it was important to start the game well which we did, we got the two goals, and maybe a little bit we should have been more ruthless, to continue to apply pressure, they got the goal back, which obviously gave them some sort of hope, in terms of getting back into the match.

“It was good that we were able to get the third goal, and then I think after that we were able to manage the game, to control the game, but yeah, it is a time for us to recover, and to re-energize, get back to Dar, and then go back to camp next week, enjoy that and get ready for the derby.”

‘Clatous Chama isn’t young any more’

On resting a few players in the closing stages of the game, including Clatous Chama, Barker explained: “You know Chama isn’t a young player any more, he’s been a top player for us, he has changed the way we are since he came back in January, so, it was important to give him a recovery, and rest because we know how important he’s to us.

“Also, it was good for the youngsters to get an opportunity to keep learning, to keep growing, and you know their time will come, one day they will start playing week in, and week out, and they will come through for the club.”

Simba will now take a break before taking Young Africans in the Karioakoo derby, on May 3 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.