SIMBA SC are set to resume their domestic campaign today with a crucial away fixture against bottom-placed Kengold FC at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium in Tabora.

The match, part of the Mainland Premier League Round 29, kicks off at 16:00 EAT.

The clash comes at a pivotal time for the Msimbazi Street giants, who are now chasing the league title as their only remaining silverware target this season. 

Simba recently suffered heartbreak on two fronts: losing the CAF Confederation Cup final 3-1 on aggregate to Morocco’s RS Berkane and being knocked out of the Federation Cup semifinals by Singida Black Stars.

With those hopes dashed, Simba have now turned their full focus to the league, where winning all their remaining matches would crown them champions. The first of those decisive matches begins today against struggling Kengold FC.

Simba head into the game in second place on the league table with 72 points from 27 matches. The team has registered 23 wins, three draws, and only one defeat so far this season. They trail rivals Young Africans SC (Yanga), who are top with 73.

Victory over Kengold is crucial for Simba to maintain pressure on Young Africans and set up a potentially title-deciding derby encounter later this month.

The two sides met earlier in the season during the first round at KMC Complex, where Simba triumphed 2-0 thanks to a brace from Cameroonian forward Leonel Ateba Mbida.

Simba come into the match on the back of an impressive run of five straight league wins. They defeated Mashujaa FC 2-1, JKT Tanzania 1-0, Pamba Jiji FC 5-1, KMC FC 2-1, and overcame Singida Black Stars 1-0 in a tightly contested match.

In contrast, Kengold FC’s recent form has been dismal. The  Mbeya-based side sits at the bottom of the table with just 16 points from 28 matches. Their record includes only three wins, seven draws, and 18 losses.

They are on a five-match losing streak, having fallen to Azam FC (2-0), Dodoma Jiji (3-0), Tanzania Prisons (3-1), Coastal Union (3-0), and Pamba Jiji FC (2-0). 

With relegation already all but confirmed mathematically, Kengold are essentially playing for pride as they prepare to wrap up their debut season in the topflight.

Kengold’s next fixture will see them visit Namungo FC on June 22, but given their current position, their remaining matches are mere formalities. 

The club has failed to keep up with the intensity of the league and will likely return to the Championship next season.

For Simba, today’s match is just the beginning of a high-stakes final run-in. After the Kengold encounter, they face Kagera Sugar on June 22 before clashing with Young Africans in the Dar es Salaam derby on June 25 a match that could ultimately determine the 2024/25 Mainland Premier League champions if both teams win their next two fixtures.

Simba are desperate to reclaim the league title, which they last lifted three seasons ago. Under head coach Fadlu Davids (pictured), the team has shown renewed belief and tactical discipline, qualities they’ll need in abundance in the final three games.

The pressure is firmly on Simba to deliver, but with their recent form and a relatively easier fixture against Kengold, the Msimbazi Street side will look to grab all three points and keep their championship hopes alive.