Simba SC: Everything you Must know about Tanzanian Football Giants
The most popular sport in Africa is undoubtedly with millions of people playing and watching the game all year around. From setting up a kickabout in the street to attending matches in giant stadiums, the passion for the pursuit is massive in every part of the continent. One of the biggest clubs in Africa is Simba SC, a hugely successful team playing in the Tanzanian Premier League.
Founded nearly a century, the Red Lions have long been a leading team in the country. If you are keen to boost your football knowledge in this part of the world, this article will help by telling you everything you need to know about Simba SC.
Gearing up for a New Season
The Tanzanian Premier League kicks off this month and, after finishing second last time out, Simba SC will be determined to go one better this time around and clinch the title. There are 16 clubs competing in the top-flight and the Red Lions are very much one of the favourites to finish at the top of the table.
Some fans enjoying predicting the outcome of matches to add an extra layer of excitement to the action out on the pitch each matchday. If you are keen to explore such opportunities it is a smart move to check out the upcoming Simba fixtures so that you can start to assess the team's chances up against different opposition.
The Club's Formation
Simba SC was founded back in 1936 and so the club will soon celebrate its 90th anniversary. This is a proud institution with a long and storied history in Tanzania and African football.
The team was actually first known as 'The Queens' and a short time was renamed Sunderland in recognition of the English Premier League club who won the old First Division title in England the year Simba SC was formed.
It was in 1971 that the club took its current name which is Swahili for Lion. Playing in red, the team's nickname is the Red Lions. The club badge also features a roaring lion.
Title Triumphs
Simba SC is one of the most successful clubs in African football history having won the Tanzanian title an incredible 22 times. This means the team has held the crown of champion for a quarter of its existence which is some going. Only fierce rivals Young Africans SC has finished first more having won the title in each of the last four campaigns to take their overall total to 26. For the rest of this decade, Simba SC will be determined to match that tally set to be top dogs again.
The Red Lions have also won FA Cup trophy in Tanzania on five occasions while also competing int he CAF Champions League a number of times. Simba SC are the top team in Tanzania when it comes to international tournaments and reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup last time out, only losing to Moroccan outfit RS Berkane. In 1993, Simba SC reached the club's first showpiece final were they were defeated by Ivory Coast club Stella Adjame.
Massive Home Ground
Simba fixtures are played at the Tanzania National Main Stadium which boasts 60,000 seats and is also the home of the national team. Based in Miburani, it is one of the biggest arenas on the continent.
The venue is also known as the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, as it is named after former Tanzania president Benjamin Mkapa who pushed for the building of the stadium at the turn of the century as the Uhuru Stadium needed replacing. It was completed and opened in 2007 with the record attendance coming in October 2008 when 70,000 football supporters gathered to see Simba SC take on rivals Young Africans. Interestingly, despite the rivalry, the two heavyweights of Tanzanian football actually share the stadium.
Predicting Matches
With the new season soon to kick off, football enthusiasts around the world will be checking out the Tanzanian Premier League in search of betting opportunities. If you are interested in wagering on Simba fixtures this upcoming campaign, there are a number of strategies you should follow so that you always make informed decisions from a place of knowledge and authority.
Track Simba Team News
When wagering on Simba SC, it is imperative you tune into manager press conferences in order to get a steer on the state of play within the squad. The coach will reveal which players have been sidelined through injury or suspension and from here, you can work out who is set to deputise and how this will impact the strength of the line-up.
Follow the Form Guide
Looking at the recent results of Simba SC's upcoming opponents will inform you as to whether the team is playing with confidence and scoring goals or struggling to string two passes together and losing each week.
Make Use of Live In-Play Betting
Using your smartphone or tablet to make predictions while the game is going on can be transformative to your experience. Watching the game unfold in real-time will allow you to make a proper assessment and help you to make an educated guess using your knowledge of the play.
Overall, Simba SC are one of the major players in African football and will be aiming to lift yet another Tanzanian Premier League title this season after four seasons having to settle for second.
