Andrew Olsson
January 20, 2026Simba SC signs three new players, reunites coach with former Stellenbosch star Touré
Olivier Toure during his time with Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates. Photo: Baniyas Club
Simba SC signs three new players, reunites coach with former Stellenbosch star Touré
Tanzanian giants Simba SC boosted their defense with three signings as the Reds look to improve their fortunes during a busy stretch of the 2025-26 campaign.
Ivorian central defender Olivier Touré is set for a reunion with former Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker at Simba while Niger national team goalkeeper Mahamadou Tanja’s signing was also announced on Tuesday.
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Touré is a player who appears likely to be a key player for the Dar es Salaam club due to his past history with recently hired head coach Barker. The Ivorian was a pillar of the defense during his time in South Africa with Stellenbosch and the 28-year-old joins as a free agent following a brief spell with Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates.
The former ASEC Mimosas player has plenty of experience in African interclub competitions, achieving semifinal finishes in the CAF Confederation Cup with Stellenbosch during the 2024-25 season and another South African club, Marumo Gallants, during the 2022-23 campaign. He only made seven appearances for Bani Yas before being released by the UAE Pro League relegation fighters.
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Nigerien goalkeeper Tanja, also known by his full name Mahamadou Tanja Djibrilla Kassali Djibo, is another player who can provide immediate help after Simba announced his signing in the last hour at the time of publication. A goalkeeping emergency required the addition of the player, who joins from Nigerien club AS FAN after multiple first team goalkeepers were injured at Simba.
Tanja has nearly thirty appearances for the Niger national team. The 29-year-old performed well for his nation at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) played in August last year and was also the #1 for Niger at the 2022 CHAN played in Algeria.
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Finally, the club also brought in left back Nickson Kibabage from fellow top flight side Singida Black Stars. The Tanzania international, a former player of Simba’s rivals Young Africans, arrives after being an unused squad member with the Tanzania team that reached the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 25-year-old also represented Tanzania at the 2017 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and spent a brief spell abroad in Morocco before establishing himself as one of the best fullbacks in Tanzanian club football.
It has been a difficult period for Simba, who continue to struggle to keep up with Young Africans. A defeat in their final competitive match of 2025 to another local rival, Azam FC, allowed Young Africans to seize the advantage early in the title race of the Tanzania Mainland Premier League (Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara). Their opening league fixture of 2026 ended in a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Mtibwa Sugar to add to concerns.
New coach Barker has little time to adjust after signing on to lead the club in late December following the sacking of Bulgarian coach Dimitar Pantev. After an excellent spell with Stellenbosch where he led the club from the second tier of South African football to become one of the top clubs in the nation, a new challenge awaits at the highest level of African club football.
Simba have two difficult clashes in the CAF Champions League against Group D favorites and Tunisian champions Espérance de Tunis at the end of the month. Furthermore, Barker will have to manage his squad through league duties as continental competition intensifies with Simba needing to make up ground in the Champions League.
The Reds lost both of their opening group stage matches, falling at Stade Malien after beginning Group D action with a defeat away at Angolan champions Petro de Luanda.
