Simba SC head coach Steve Barker has openly expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance despite a 3-0 victory over TRA United that lifted them to second place in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League.
The win extended Simba’s unbeaten run to nine matches under Barker, with five wins and four draws since taking charge. However, a seven-point gap behind league leaders Yanga SC highlights the long road ahead for the Msimbazi Reds, even with two games in hand.
Game Control Remains the Priority
Despite the positive results, Barker believes Simba has not yet reached the level he expects, particularly in terms of ball possession and decision-making.
The coach admitted he was unhappy with the first-half performance, noting that his players were losing possession too easily and failing to control the tempo of the game.
“We were not happy at all at halftime. We were giving the ball away cheaply, making poor decisions, and every time we tried to attack, we ended up spoiling our own chances,” said Barker.
He added that frequent turnovers forced the team to expend extra energy recovering defensively instead of building effective attacks.
Discipline and Decision-Making Key
Barker emphasized the importance of tactical discipline and positional awareness, identifying them as areas that still need improvement within his squad.
He explained that a lack of composure reduces the team’s efficiency, especially when constantly switching between attacking and defending.
Second-Half Improvement Noted
However, the coach acknowledged a positive shift in the second half, where Simba showed better control and limited their opponents’ threats.
“In the second half we were much better. We controlled the ball well and didn’t give our opponents many chances. That’s how we managed to score the second and third goals,” he added.
Work Still Ahead
Barker made it clear that he still wants to see Simba improve their ability to protect leads and prevent opponents from getting back into matches.
Overall, his remarks underline a clear message: despite good results, he is determined to see his team reach a higher level—dominating possession, making better decisions, and being more clinical in front of goal.
For Simba fans, the message is simple: the wins are coming, but the journey toward peak performance is still ongoing.
