Barker applauds Simba SC after cruising past Dodoma Jiji

Simba SC head coach Steve Barker has expressed his satisfaction with the level shown by his players after the Tanzania giants strolled past Dodoma Jiji 3-1 in their CRDB Federation Cup fixture on Sunday.

After a 1-0 first half outcome, Simba turned on the gear in the second period to hammer their opponents. Seleman Mwalimu was the hero after he scored a brace in the 54th and 67th minute, while Anicet Oura hit the back of the net in the 60th minute.

Tunasonga mbele kwenye michuano ya #CRDBBankFederationCup #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/2RZ6b4Zrbt

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) April 12, 2026

Dodoma Jiji had stunned Simba with the opener in the ninth minute. Speaking after the game, Barker applauded his players for the turn around in the second 45 minutes.

‘I am really proud of the performance’

“I thought we were really good from the first minute to the last, although the first half we didn’t score a goal, I thought we created enough chances, and I was confident in the second half if we keep attacking them, we will get a goal, and go on to win the game,” Barker told Pan-Africa Football.

“So, I am really proud of the performance today, I thought it was full of quality, full of commitment, full of energy, and a well-deserved victory.”

Barker added: “It was a really good outing for us, as I said we played very well, and obviously we have three more matches here in Arusha. We will play here again on Wednesday, so it was good for us to get a confident type of game.

“Again, I thought in the second half we took our goals very well, and controlled, and dominated the game, so, hopefully come Wednesday we can put in a similar performance because we need to get points in the league.”

In his message to Simba fans, Barker said: “Yes once again thank you for coming out in large numbers, and we will continue to fight for them, and fight for the badge. We just continue to ask them to keep coming and supporting us the way they did today.”

Dodoma Jiji praised for first half display

On his part, Dodoma Jiji coach Aman Josiah said they had a good 45 minutes in the first half especially in defence, adding lack of concentration enabled Simba to carry the day.

“We had a good 45 minutes in defending, at least our approach worked well the first 45 minutes, but we forgot our plans, and lost concentration and the last 45 minutes changed everything, and we lost the game,” said Josiah.

“We the second team in this game, and we had accepted that. Simba was of course the favourites, but our first half was the best. If we showed up in the last 45 minutes, like the first 45 minutes, then the outcome could have been different.”

Simba have now reached the quarterfinals of the knockout competition.