Simba in tricky Pamba test

MWANZA: SIMBA Head Coach Steve Barker expects a stern test against Pamba Jiji today but is confident his side can maintain their strong start to the Mainland Premier League campaign when the two teams meet at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.

Barker said Simba’s previous away experience against Pamba had taught the team valuable lessons, particularly after the fixture proved to be one of their most difficult matches last season. In their last two meetings, Pamba Jiji held Simba to a 1-1 draw at home on March before Simba edged the Mwanza side 2-1 in June.

“I do believe not only the players, but even myself and the coaching staff, that it was an experience playing away to Pamba. It was one of our most difficult fixtures of last season,” Barker said.

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“We have learnt a lot and now know what to expect a lot better, as well as having many players who had their first match there.” The coach said the difficult conditions and Pamba’s determination to compete would provide another test for Simba, but insisted his players must find solutions if they are to challenge at the top of the table.

“If we want to continue winning matches and put ourselves in a position at the top end of the table and have a good start to the season, we have to find solutions to the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

Barker expects the pitch to be challenging but believes Simba can benefit from having midfielder Kelvin Nashon, who can provide useful information about the opposition.

“We know that we can expect a field that won’t be very conducive in terms of the quality of the pitch, and obviously an opposition that will be doing everything in their power to overcome us,” he said.

Simba midfielder Kelvin Nashon said the team had arrived safely in Mwanza and was well prepared for the encounter. He acknowledged that talent alone would not be enough against a Pamba side capable of fighting for every ball.

“We have prepared well. We know the type of match we are going to play. Talent is never enough, especially when playing away against a team that can fight and compete,” Kennedy said.

“We know Pamba and we know how we are going to play against them,” he added. Pamba Jiji Assistant Coach John Wawu said his side would make changes from their previous match, with some players who were unavailable because of licensing issues now expected to return.

“There will be some changes because in the first match we missed some players due to licensing issues, but there are players we will have for this match,” Wawu said.

He stressed that Pamba would adopt a different approach against Simba, saying every league match required its own tactical plan. Pamba captain Amos Kadikilo, meanwhile, said the players were ready to face Simba and would approach the fixture like any other league match.

“Simba are a big team with experienced and quality players, but our coach has prepared our mentality well, physically as well,” Kadikilo said. “We believe all the players are in good condition. We see this as a normal league match. We have prepared well and I believe it will be a good game.”