Can Simba SC's new transfer strategy lead to success?

The Msimbazi Street outfit's leadership concluded the signing early in December last year, though the announcement was pending.

Chasambi was promoted from Mtibwa Sugar's U-20 team, the champion of the Youth Premier League for the fifth consecutive season, to the Morogoro-based outfit's senior team based on his scintillating showing.

The midfielder agreed to a two-year contract with Simba SC recently, having been voted as 2023's U-20 Player of the Year.

Last week, Simba SC also introduced Saleh Masoud Karabaka, the Zanzibar-born winger who scored a goal on his debut for the club against his former side, JKU SC, when the clubs took on each other in a 2024 Mapinduzi Cup group stage clash. 

While opinions on Karabaka varied, Simba SC fans expressed mixed feelings about their team's first transfer window move, desiring someone other than Karabaka.

Despite this, some fans found solace in the earlier signing of Chasambi. Speculation arose about possible additional signings by prominent sides. However, official activities at the Msimbazi Street club began recently.

In addition to Karabaka, Simba SC introduced defensive midfielder Babacar Sarr from Senegal, a former star for Tunisian outfit US Monastir. 

Sarr's arrival delighted Simba SC fans, raising expectations for a new era with players directly entering the first team and making significant contributions, potentially diminishing the roles of players like Zambian midfielder Clatous Chama.

Sarr's impressive resume prompts questions about whether Simba SC is turning a corner in player acquisitions. 

Recent years saw some players like Cameroonian center-back Fondoh Che Malone and Congolese midfielder Fabrice Ngoma enter the team directly, while others faced challenges such as injuries and misconduct.

Simba SC's past experiences, including Mozambican winger Jose Luis Miquissone's return, highlight the unpredictability of player transitions.

The team aims for a balance between new signings and nurturing local talent, similar to Yanga's successful approach in strengthening the Jangwani Street club's squad.

As Simba SC anticipates the impact of Sarr, the focus is on creating a cohesive team with players who contribute equally, regardless of their origins.

Simba SC seeks players who can handle the environment and the demands of local football, moving away from the need for players like Burkinabe midfielder Ismaël Sawadogo, prioritizing those who bring significant value to the team.