Simba have continued their impressive home form after securing a 2-0 victory over Geita Gold, with head coach Steve Barker praising his players for recording back-to-back home wins without conceding.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam after the match, Barker said Simba controlled much of the game through possession and the chances they created, although the condition of the pitch made it difficult to produce more clear-cut opportunities, particularly in the final pass.
He said the technical bench also used the match to rotate the squad and manage the workload of players who have played significant minutes, with an important CAF Champions League fixture approaching.
“We have had a good start to the season. It is good to get our second consecutive home victory and keep clean sheets in both matches. Overall, I am pleased with the team’s performance,” Barker said.
The coach also welcomed the return of some players who had been sidelined, including Cutmore, saying their availability would strengthen the squad as the season progresses.
Barker added that the victory was an important result for Simba as they prepare for a demanding schedule that includes continental competition.
For Geita Gold, head coach Zuberi Katwila acknowledged that his side knew they were facing a strong Simba team but said they had tried to limit their opponents’ strengths while looking for opportunities to attack.
He said Simba made the most of the two significant chances they created.
“We thank God that the match ended safely. It was a good game for both sides, but unfortunately we lost 2-0. We tried to play against a strong team like Simba and limit their strengths, but we conceded two chances which they managed to convert,” Katwila said.
The coach said Geita Gold would analyse the mistakes made during the match and work on them ahead of their next fixture.
“The match is over. We will take everything that happened and work on it so that we do not repeat these weaknesses in our next game,” he said.
Katwila insisted that the defeat should not be interpreted as evidence that Geita Gold were an inferior side, saying his players demonstrated their ability to compete at Tanzania’s top-flight level.
“My players showed their ability and implemented what we had prepared. We know we are competing in the Premier League, and I believe we will perform better in the coming matches,” he added.