Tanzania Premier League

Why the 2026/2027 Transfer Window Matters for Simba

Few clubs in African football command the transfer attention that Simba SC do. Based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, the club has spent the past several seasons transforming into a serious continental contender. Under South African coach Fadlu Davids — who guided them to a CAF Confederation Cup final finish last campaign — Simba’s ambitions have never been higher.

The 2026/2027 transfer window is pivotal. With the club competing in the CAF Champions League group stage this season — recording a 1-1 draw against Angola’s Petro Atletico and a 1-0 win over Stade Malien — the management knows that strengthening the squad with proven continental experience is non-negotiable.

“Quality players with Champions League pedigree will always be on our radar. We’ve identified specific targets and are working methodically to bolster our squad.”

— Fadlu Davids, Head Coach, Simba SC

Key Signings Already Made in 2025/2026 (Building Blocks for Next Season)

Before diving into the 2026/2027 transfer speculation, it is worth understanding what Simba’s recent winter window told us about the club’s recruitment philosophy. The January 2026 window was particularly active, with seven incoming players arriving in quick succession.

This aggressive window spending reflects a club that is serious about competing at the highest level. The diverse nationalities across the roster also signal Simba’s intent to fill all available foreign player slots with high-quality talent from across the continent.

Tetesi za Usajili 2026/2027: The Big Transfer Rumors

With the 2025/2026 season approaching its conclusion, whispers and firm reports about Simba’s summer 2026 targets are already circulating. Here is a breakdown of the most credible transfer rumors currently swirling around the Wekundu wa Msimbazi.

Balla Moussa Conte (CS Sfaxien)

According to Foot Africa, Guinean central midfielder Balla Moussa Conte from Tunisian club CS Sfaxien has emerged as a priority transfer target for Simba. The 29-year-old caught the attention of Davids’ coaching staff during CAF Confederation Cup matches, with reports suggesting the coach personally reached out through Simba’s Guinean goalkeeper Moussa Camara to establish initial contact. If completed, this would be an astute signing — Conte brings African continental experience and the physical-technical balance Simba’s engine room has at times lacked.

Dennis Nya — Defensive Reinforcement

The Tanzanian giants officially submitted an offer for Nigerian defender Dennis Nya as part of their ongoing drive to strengthen the backline. The deal was reportedly close to completion, with both parties meeting in Tanzania to finalize terms. Should Nya officially sign, he would add depth and versatility to a defensive unit that has otherwise been solid this season — conceding an average of just 0.2 goals per game in recent league matches.

Ramadhani Chobwedo:Tetesi

Ramadhani Chobwedo

Kelvin Nashon: Tetesi

Kelvin Nashon:

The news of Kelvin Nashon joining Simba SC has become a major talking point in Tanzania’s football scene. The signing has attracted the attention of fans, analysts, and football stakeholders, many of whom believe it is an important step for the club in its pursuit of new success. Simba SC has shown a clear commitment to building a strong squad that combines talented young players with experience.

Saleh Karabaka: Tetesi

Saleh Karabaka joined Simba SC on a three-year contract from Zanzibar’s JKU. He was later loaned out to Namungo FC before joining JKT Tanzania.

Saleh Karabaka

His current contract with Simba SC is nearing its expiration, and reports suggest that the club has begun discussions to extend his deal following the impressive performances he has displayed this season.

Stanley Nwabali: Tetesi

Stanley Nwabali

Nwabali’s rise began in South Africa, where the Nigerian goalkeeper developed into a dependable leader and captain before earning international recognition with the Super Eagles. The former Enyimba goalkeeper’s standout performances for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations under former coach José Peseiro marked a turning point, firmly establishing him as one of Africa’s most reliable shot-stoppers.

Taddeus Nkeng

Dangerous Stade Malien striker Taddeus Nkeng Fomakwang (25) is reportedly on Simba’s radar during the current transfer window.

Taddeus Nkeng

Taddeus Nkeng Fomakwang is a Cameroonian international who has previously featured in the youth setups of FC Porto in Portugal, HJK Helsinki in Finland, and Carabobo FC. The versatile forward is capable of playing across all three attacking positions.

 Salim Adams: Tetesi

Salim Adams

Emmanuel Keyeke: Tetesi

Emmanuel Keyeke

Emmanuel Kwame Keyekeh, also known as Emmanuel Lameck Nchemba, is a Tanzanian footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Singida Black Stars FC in the NBC Premier League. He previously played for Unistar Academy, Karela United, and Asante Kotoko.

Nathaniel Chilambo: Tetesi

Apart from the ongoing battle for the Mainland Premier League title, another transfer battle has emerged between Azam FC and Simba SC over the signing of right-back Nathaniel Chilambo, whose contract with Azam is set to expire at the end of the 2025–2026 season.

Nathaniel Chilambo

Simba SC officials are continuing their efforts to assess areas that need strengthening in the squad ahead of next season. One of the positions currently under close review is right-back, which is occupied by Shomari Kapombe.

Kapombe, who joined Simba SC on July 1, 2017, from Azam FC, has been a key pillar of the team. However, club officials are now reportedly looking for a potential replacement, as they are said to be dissatisfied with the performances of David Kameta, also known as “Duchu.”

 Ibrahim Bance: Tetesi

Simba SC is reportedly inquiring about the availability of midfielder Ibrahim Bance, who plays for South Africa’s Marumo Gallants.

Ibrahim Bance

Intelligence reports indicate that the management of Simba SC has already begun discussions with the player as well as his representatives. Bance (25) is a defensive midfielder and central midfielder, and he is reportedly a preferred type of player suggested by coach Steve Barker. Bance is expected to become a free agent at the end of the season when his contract expires.

His statistics this season in the Betway Premiership are:

• Matches: 12
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 0
• Yellow cards: 3
• Red cards: 0

 Michael Kimputu: Tetesi

Simba Sports Club has submitted an offer to sign FC Lupopo defender from DR Congo 🇨🇩, Michael Kimputu.

Michael Kimputu

Sede Junior: Tetesi

Dion Sédé Junior has finished as the top scorer in the South African league while playing for Golden Arrows. It has been a special season for the striker, who has roots from Chad and Ivory Coast.

Sede Junior

He scored a total of 14 goals for Golden Arrows. Several African clubs have already started inquiring about his services. Simba SC has been linked with interest in him, although no official offer has been submitted.

Abdul Sopu: Tetesi

Simba SC has added the name of Abdul Suleiman “Sopu” to their shortlist in the upcoming major transfer window.

Abdul Sopu

Sopu’s contract with Azam FC is set to expire at the end of this season. Internal reports suggest that Sopu has already been offered a preliminary contract by Simba SC.

Sopu is reportedly a recommendation of coach Steve Barker, who wants him to come in and replace Ladack Chasambi, who has failed to deliver strong performances at Simba. Sopu is being considered as his potential replacement.

Abdulkarim Watambala: Tetesi

If the ongoing rumours about Abdulkarim Watambala joining Simba SC come true, then Simba SC will have secured a very good player.

Abdulkarim Watambala

Watambala is a very strong midfielder, both technically and tactically reliable. He is very physical, has the ability to shoot from distance, create goal-scoring chances, and also score goals himself. He can play as both a number 8 and a number 10 — a very talented player.

Abdulkarim Watambala

For those who followed the CHAN tournament (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania as hosts), there was a lot to admire in his left foot. Off the ball, he is not lazy; he can defend, win back possession, and help initiate attacks. He would be a great solution or a strong addition to Simba SC’s goal creation department if he joins the club.

Squad Needs: Where Simba Must Strengthen

Based on the current squad’s performance data and Davids’ publicly stated priorities, these are the positions Simba SC are most likely to invest in during the 2026/2027 summer window.

Players Who Could Leave Simba in 2026/2027

Every busy transfer window has two sides. While much of the excitement focuses on arrivals, Simba will also likely trim the squad to maintain balance and free up foreign player slots for higher-quality recruits.

Older players approaching the end of their contracts — particularly those signed in the January 2026 window on short-term deals — will face assessments at season’s end. The club’s philosophy under Davids appears to favor youth and energy alongside experience, meaning players who underperformed in the second half of 2025/2026 may find their futures uncertain.

Cletous Chama, at 34 years old, is among those whose long-term future at the club will be reviewed. Several of the winter window arrivals were brought in on loan or short-term contracts, meaning their statuses for the coming season remain to be confirmed.

Simba SC’s 2026/2027 Continental Ambitions

It would be a mistake to view Simba’s transfer activity in isolation from their broader footballing ambitions. The club’s participation in the CAF Champions League — drawing 1-1 with Petro Atletico and defeating Stade Malien 1-0 in the group stage — represents a genuine step up in continental competition. For Davids and the Simba board, these results serve as a baseline, not a ceiling.

The summer transfer window will therefore be framed around a simple question: what does this squad need to make a serious impact in the CAF Champions League knockout stages in 2026/2027? The answer, based on all available evidence, involves adding at least one world-class creative midfielder, a robust center-back, and a striker with the instincts to score at continental level.

“We believe the ones with Champions League experience will be of huge value to our ambitions this season as they will bring their quality.”

— Fadlu Davids, Head Coach, Simba SC

The Domestic Picture: Can Simba Reclaim the League Title?

Simba currently sit 4th in the Tanzania Premier League with 27 points from 12 matches — a record of eight wins, three draws and one defeat. While that is solid form, the gap to the summit will need to be addressed. Young Africans, Simba’s fierce city rivals and perennial title challengers, continue to push hard for the title.

The transfer strategy for 2026/2027 will therefore need to simultaneously deliver continental quality and domestic dominance — a dual mandate that has not always been easy to fulfill. Historically, the most successful Simba squads have been those where the technical quality brought in for continental games was also dominant domestically, and that balance will be key once again.

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