Barker frustrated with Simba SC after dropping points

Simba SC head coach Steve Barker expressed disappointment with the level his side showed during their 0-0 Mainland Premier League draw against TRA United at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha on Thursday.

The Tanzanian outfit failed to close the gap between them and rivals Young Africans after they failed to score for a second successive top-flight game. Heading into the fixture, Simba had battled to a 0-0 draw against Azam FC.

Mchezo umekwisha. #NBCPremierLeague #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/eVMXYvrG7G

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) April 9, 2026

Speaking after the game, the South African coach conceded they did not have a good match, but called on the fans to continue rallying behind the team as they strive to navigate the challenges on their way.

‘It was a disappointing display’

“I’m very disappointed, I don’t think it was the best performance, I thought the first half we stagnated, everything was not functioning, and we made it comfortable for them,” Barker told Pan-Africa Football.

“So, we tried in the second half to make one or two changes, but again the execution of the final third, or the final cross wasn’t good enough. We couldn’t break them down as we usually do, so it was a frustrating performance.”

Barker added: “We are going to have challenges on the way, today was one of those challenges, but we have to navigate these challenges and find ways around.

“Games like this obviously, we are going to play on the same pitch for the next two matches, we look forward for the Cup, and you know we have to ask fans to keep coming, to keep supporting us, it maybe not a luck of commitment.

“It was a good effort from everybody, but maybe just tactically, and little bit execution was not good enough.”

TRA United played against referee

TRA United coach Etienne Ndayiragije said his side deserved to win the game considering the way they had played, and further hit out at the match officials for the disallowed goal.

“My players did everything to win the game, but we were not only playing against Simba, but also against the referee because there were a lot of mistakes, and I don’t understand why that happened,” explained Ndayiragije.

“A good example is the goal we scored which was disallowed, but maybe I will have to watch it again and review it, but we had the best opportunity to win the game, but we lacked the finishing touch.”

He added: “But I have to congratulate my players for the point because they got it from a top team. Simba are a very good team, they gave us a good challenge, but what impressed me most is the fact my team is gelling now.”

Simba remained nine points behind Young Africans, while TRA United jumped to seventh with the point. TRA United have garnered 24 points from 18 matches.