Simba Coach Predicts Tough Season

Simba Sports Club coach Sven Vandenbroeck has predicted a tough season as he believes most teams have strong squads good enough to challenge for the title.

The 2020-21 Vodacom Mainland Premier League gets underway on Sunday, September 6 with the Msimbazi Reds taking on newly-promoted side Ihefu FC at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.

Vandenbroeck, who last season steered the club to their third consecutive Premier League title, believes there are no clear favorites for the victory.

He has refused to put pressure on his team which some believe could challenge for the title.

“It will be a very tight season because we will play minus two teams and that means teams will have enough time to prepare well for matches,” Vandenbroeck told reporters in Arusha.

“It means the teams will have ample time to recover after matches and this will give teams especially those so-called small teams the edge to prepare well for the matches and it will prove difficult, it will be a tough league, I can assure you that, it will not be easy.”

Vandenbroeck has, however, said if his players maintain the same quality during their build-up games, there is a huge possibility of doing well this season.

“If we manage to keep our squad fit throughout the season then I don’t have any doubts that we will be crowned champions again,” Vandenbroeck continued.

“We have signed very quality players, a very good addition to our squad, but we have to make sure that they are fit to see through the season, injuries can sometimes spoil your plans, and we hope they will be able to see through the season.

“One thing I like about this team is the teamwork and solidarity of the playing unit, we proved that again against [Namungo], they always play as a team and fight to cover for one another something other teams luck in the top-flight, it is always an advantage to us.”

Simba have won the Tanzania Mainland Premier League four times in the last 10 seasons while their rivals Yanga have won it five times.