As first reported by FARPost, Ivorian defender Ismael Toure has reunited with his former coach at Betway Premiership outfit Stellenbosch FC, Steve Barker, at Simba SC.
The centre-back was unveiled by the Tanzanian giants on Tuesday, following his brief and unsuccessful stint at Emirati side FC Baniyas.
His spell in the UAE did not go as planned, he was confined to just seven appearances across all competitions, before being cut off.
Simply put, he last played competitive football in September. However, coach Barker has retained faith in him, handing him a career-saving chance as he also seeks to make a lasting impression in Tanzania.
At Wekundu wa Msimbazi, he will revive his relationship with the shrewd SA coach who initially lured him to Stellies from Marumo Gallants back in July 2023.
TOURE ADDS MORE PSL FLAVOUR AT SIMBA SC
Meanwhile, the South African flavour continues to blossom at the Tanzanian outfit, which is already home to former Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Neo Maema and Rushine de Reuck.
Barker took over from the Bulgarian Dimitar Pantev, who only joined Simba at the start of the season after Fadlu Davids‘ move to Raja Casablanca. Davids’ exit from Simba saw Pantev joining the club.
Pantev won four of his five Tanzanian league games but struggled at the start of the group stages of the CAF Champions League. That prompted his firing. Furthermore, in replacing the Bulgarian, Barker is viewed as Simba SC’s lasting solution.
Crucially, he will anchor his trust on Toure, Bafana Bafana stars Maema and De Reuck who were signed by Davids. With Toure’s arrival, the South African flavour at the Tanzanian giants has intensified.
It remains to be seen if he will help Barker turn the team into a dangerous machine and conquer on the continental platform. Simba SC have also signed Nickson Kibabage from their league rivals Singida SC.
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