Matola: Simba SC assistant wary of Coastal Union threats

Simba SC assistant coach Suleiman Matola has openly admitted the difficulties they face when coming up against Coastal Union ahead of their Mainland Premier League fixture at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium on Thursday.

The Msimbazi Reds will go into the fixture seeking to make it two wins out of two in the top-flight. In their last assignment, Simba defeated Tabora United 3-0.

Kesho hiyo. #NBCPremierLeague #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/8iJVpdxAJG

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) April 1, 2026

For Coastal Union, they have not won two matches since their 4-1 win against Tanzania Prisons on February 10. They drew 1-1 against JKT Tanzania in their next fixture before losing 1-0 against Singida Black Stars.

Coastal Union always a threat for Simba

“There is no easy match between Simba and Coastal Union because it is one of those teams that give Simba a difficult game any time we come up against them,” Matola told Pan-Africa Football ahead of the game.

“If you take a close look at our performance against them last season, they managed a draw when they came to play us at home. So, we are taking the game with a lot of seriousness, and our preparations have been superb.

“What makes us confident going into the game is the fact all our players are fit, available, and training camp, they are psyched up heading into the game.”

Matola added: “Despite the tough game we get from Coastal every time we play against them, we will make sure we get maximum points from the fixture. It is a very important fixture for us, and three points will be very crucial for us.”

He continued: “Coastal Union have been giving us difficult games, they have a very strong team, and we have taken our time to study them, we have checked their hardness, their weaknesses. They are a team that can attack you from nowhere, so we have done everything to be ready.”

‘We respect Simba, but don’t fear them’

Simba midfielder Charles Semfuko said ahead of the game: “We have enough preparations coming after the long break. So, our focus is to go there and get maximum points.

Burudani imeandaliwa vyema. #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/dhmDPJpKdg

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) April 1, 2026

“We know what a win means for Simba, and our fans, and that is what we are going for against Coastal Union. Every game for Simba is a final, and we need three points from the game.”

Coastal Union coach Mohamed Muya said they have a lot of respect for Simba, but they will not fear them when they face off.

“We have a lot of respect for Simba, but this game is important for us, coming after the break. We have had enough time to train, not only for this Simba game, but also for the upcoming matches,” said Muya.

“We know we have issues with missing our chances, but we will work everything to improve because against Simba, we want to beat them.”

So far, Simba are lying third on the table with 31 points accumulated from nine wins, four draws and one defeat, while Coastal Union, are placed 13th with 15 points from 16 matches.