- Simba will train in Dubai for a week
- They were eliminated from the Mapinduzi Cup
- It will give time to new coach Robertinho to learn his team
With the Tanzanian Premier League on a break to allow for the Mapinduzi Cup matches in Zanzibar, Simba SC will head to Dubai for a week-long training and bonding camp to prepare for what is expected to be a busy January and February.
The team of 28 landed in Dubai on Sunday morning for the camp, which has been organized by honorary president Mo Dewji, who is the club’s biggest individual shareholder.
The camp’s biggest ambition will be to prepare the team for the CAF Champions League group stages which start in February.
The camp is special for preparation as well as giving new head coach Roberto Oliviera ‘Robertinho’ a chance to get to know his players calmly.
“It is a good decision for the management to give me time to train with the squad calmly to enable me to get to know the players and give them my methods,” said Robertinho.
The team is also expected to play two friendly matches in Dubai.
The squad will return to the country on January 14 and we will head directly to Dodoma for the Premier League game against Mbeya City which will be played on January 17.
Robertinho looking to achieve success in new stint
Simba’s new coach Robertinho. PHOTO/Simba
Meanwhile, the Tanzanian football giants travel to Zanzibar just after unveiling Robertinho as their new head coach, just less than a week after he resigned from Ugandan champions Vipers SC.
Oliveira was introduced to the team and takes over from interim Juma Mgunda, who will now work as his assistant coach. Mgunda had been holding forte on interim basis since the sacking of former tactician Zoran Maki.
Maki was coach of the team for just 67 days and had been brought on board after another short serving manager, Pablo Franco, also left the slot.
The Brazilian Oliveira, who also had a very short stint in Kenya with record champions Gor Mahia said he was excited with his new role.
“I am really excited to be here and this is an interesting project for me. I look forward to the new challenge and I cant wait to get started. I have been told so many good things about the club and I am looking forward to the experience,” said the Brazilian tactician.
On his targets with Simba, Maki says he wants to see them do well in Continental football.
“Everything in football is about planning. With planning you can achieve anything. We have a good team because I have followed some of the matches and I believe we will not only do well in the local matches but also in continental football,” said the tactician.
Simba have had a rollercoster of coaches for the past one year, but they hope the appointment of the Brazilian will offer some sort of permanent and long term solution.
The tactician watched the club’s two matches in the Mapinduzi Cup and will have an idea or two on where to start his rebuild.
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