Simba SC coach Roberto Oliveira has confirmed he will make changes to his squad ahead of the new Tanzanian Premier League and Caf campaign.
The Wekundu wa Msimbazi had a disastrous campaign that saw them finish the season without silverware. First, they were knocked out of the domestic cup by Azam FC, before rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) beat them to the league title with two matches to spare.
In their last push for a trophy, Simba were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League after losing 4-3 on penalties against Wydad AC of Morocco.
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The Brazilian tactician believes a squad reshuffle before next season is inevitable, insisting they must get players with modern football skills.
“For example, if I have five weeks of pre-season, I will need each week to have one friendly match. We have to change players’ mentality and create a strong team plus technical bench because football has changed a lot,” Oliviera said as quoted by Daily News.
“That is a good moment to prepare a good and strong team for the future. We need to create a balanced squad because sometimes, you lose players due to injuries and suspensions; hence in every position, we need two players of the same level.”
He added: “This is very important for our club because we have many competitions coming up; we have the responsibility to succeed in such competitions because Simba is a big club to the extent that people in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and even Brazil talk about this club.”
Oliviera further revealed his plans: “My strategy is to create balance in my team such that if one player is missing, we have the other of the same level to play.
“For me, players like Clatous Chama, Shomari Kapombe, Mohamed Hussein, Said Ntibazonkiza, and Sadio Kanoute are the best, but sometimes, Said or Chama cannot play; hence I need to use other players in their position of the same level.”
Simba will represent Tanzania in the Champions League next season.