Simba SC coach Steve Barker has set his sights on guiding the club to its biggest breakthrough in the CAF Champions League, in a year marking the club’s 90th anniversary.
Wekundu wa Msimbazi begin their continental campaign away to Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers on Sunday.
Simba have reached the quarterfinals of Africa’s premier club competition four times but have never progressed to the last four. Barker believes his players have what it takes to change that and reach the semi-final during the club’s 90th year of existence.
Under Fadlu Davids, they reached the final of the CAF Confederations Cup two years ago. They fell to Morocco’s RS Berkane in that final.
The former Stellenbosch FC coach has already enjoyed success since taking charge of the Tanzanian heavyweights, winning two trophies in his first eight months. However, making a deep run in the Champions League would represent his biggest achievement at the club.
STEVE BARKER: ‘IT’S NO SECRET…’
“I think it’s no secret. One of our objectives as a football club is to make the back end of this tournament, to reach the minimum semifinal sort of position in the competition,” Barker said.
“But personally, and amongst the players, we see it as an opportunity to leave a legacy. An opportunity, in Simba Sports Club’s 90th year of existence, to bring success to some of the most passionate fans and supporters on the continent.”
Expectations are always high at Simba, where domestic success is demanded, and performances on the continent are closely scrutinised. The Dar es Salaam club has not won the Tanzania Premier League for five seasons as their rivals Young Africans have dominated.
Barker, however, is not running away from the pressure. He believes it is the kind of responsibility every ambitious coach and player wants.
At the club, he has South African trio of Neo Maema, Keletso Makgalwa and Rushine De Reuck. He also has his former Stellenbosch players Anicet Oura, Olivier Toure and Ibraheem Jabaar.
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