Newly signed Simba star Nelson Okwa has missed the club’s pre-season tour in Egypt due to visa issues.
The dethroned Tanzania giants are leaving no stone unturned as they prepare to wrest the title from their rivals Young Africans, after adding another player to their 2022/23 squad.
Yanga dominated last season, completing the treble to end their rivals’ four-year dominance.
On Wednesday night, the former Tanzania champions Simba announced the arrival of the 28-year-old Nigerian midfielder Okwa from River United on a two-year deal.
However, the club revealed that he had been unable to join his new teammates due to a delayed visa to enter the North African country. He will join the team in Dar es Salaam where they are set to play in the Kariakoo derby, a precursor to the new season.
Wekundu wa Msimbazi’s new signing was regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the Nigerian domestic league last season. He scored four goals and provided four assists, helping Rivers win their first premier league title in the West African country.
In 2019, while captaining Okwa also was a team captain while playing in Go Round FC; he scored eight goals and contributed five assists.
The club’s fans will be looking forward to seeing him on August 8 2022, when they commemorate the 14th anniversary. Simba have also added Augustine Okrah, Victor Akpan, Moses Phiri, Habibu Kiyombo, Nassoro Kapama and Mohammed Ouattara.
According to reports, they could still make a few more additions with striker Cezar Manzoki a target. However, they still have to convince Vipers SC of Uganda to let go of their prized forward. He has three months left on his contract.
In Tanzania, teams are allowed to sign up to 12 foreign players. Interestingly, the Kariakoo-based side has 13 foreign players. They plan to release Meddie Kagere from Rwanda and Chriss Mugalu from Congo DR to meet the foreign quota.
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