With only thirteen rounds into the 2015/16 season, Simba title hopes are slowly sinking as the gap between them and league leaders, Azam and Yanga, has widened.
It would take a miracle for both Azam and Yanga to collapse on the way for Simba to be crowned league champions. That is very unlikely to happen though it is likely that either Azam or Yanga might falter in the rounds ahead.
With the re-introduction of the Federation Cup where the winners represents Mainland Tanzania in the CAF Confederations Cup, only the league winner matters, second position is as useless as third or fourth.
Thus, even Simba catches up with either Azam or Yanga it would come to nothing. The first runner-up has been reduced to a symbolical status that comes with nothing significant.
This is the situation that is worrying Simba folks. Once again talks of need for change are dominating Simba fans’ conversation as opposed to a credible title campaign.
In the quest for changes, some are advocating for reforms while others are rooting for a revolution. According to an anonymous writer, reform or revolution; that is the question whenever changes are needed.
Reform or revolution? That is the question that plagues Simba once again, whether they realize it or not, inherently know it or not.
What is reform? One apt definition of reform that I tend to agree with is; reform is working within an imperfect, already existing system to improve it.
We all know the Simba system, even if you call for election today the chances of electing the same breed of leaders are very high.
An unknown person stands no chance of winning an election in Simba or Yanga. You must be within the same system or have a deep pocket to influence those within the system to let you lead.
Reform is an internal process, a metamorphosis process that Simba need at the moment. Leaders need to change administration style. Let everyone be held accountable to his assigned role.
There is no need of hiring a coach and still influence his team selection. There is no need of employing a club spokesman and still live in the chaotic world where every Simba leader can comment to the public about the club affairs.
The fans also need to reform. For the past four seasons Simba fans have elected not to attend matches which further erode the club’s financial power to compete with Yanga. Simba fans also need to change, they should love the team not success.
The club does not need to go for changes of coaches whenever they register two or three draws. Have a realistic goal plan and be patient even if it does not bear fruit within the same season.
It is better to endure being laughed and ridiculed by Yanga fans for a single or double season and later on enjoy success for three or four seasons.
On the other hand, what is revolution? Revolution is recognizing that the system is broken and therefore advocating complete change. Is the Simba system broken? Maybe yes or no. Is it possible for a club’s election to produce complete change?
The answer is a resounding no. At the moment as said earlier, an outsider stands no chance of winning an election at Simba. As they say, ‘Simba ina wenyewe’, the same people who are part of the system that needs reform rather than revolution.
Lastly, a revolution often tends to eliminate even good leaders. Within Simba, with all of its internal instability and squabbles there are good leaders who are fighting a losing battle.